YANN Kermorgant and Liam Kelly grabbed the goals as Reading FC scored three times in the last 18 minutes to complete a stunning comeback at Ashton Gate.

Royals looked like getting 2017 off to a losing start when a Tammy Abraham brace gave City a comfortable 2-0 lead.

But the introduction of Kelly for John Swift in the 66th minute helped turn the game on its head.

The former Academy midfielder gave Reading a lifeline with his first goal for the club six minutes later.

He then turned provider for Kermorgant's 86th-munute equaliser before the Frenchman struck a sensational winner three minutes into time added on to snatch all three points.

It was Reading's second successive 3-2 win on the road following the victory at Blackburn Rovers and leaves them third in the Championship table, six point behind second-placed Newcastle with a game in hand.

Stam made three changes from the side he picked for the fog-abandoned clash against Fulham on Friday night.

Fit-again Swift was handed his first start since a 3-0 win at Wigan on November 5 after recovering from an ankle injury picked up on England U21 duty, with Kelly perhaps unlucky to miss out.

Skipper Paul McShane also shook off a wrist injury suffered in the Boxing Day victory against Norwich City to reclaim his place in the heart of a four-man defence.

In addition, Dutch winger Roy Beerens was recalled in place of Callum Harriott, who tweaked his hamstring against the Cottagers.

The visitors took six minutes to create a decent chance when Danny Williams volleyed over from a Garath McCleary corner.

Joe Bryan replied for City with an effort that also sailed over the bar, but Reading hit back and went close on two occasions.

In the 14th minute Swift linked up with Kermorgant, but his shot failed to trouble Frank Fielding.

And seven minutes later Fielding also denied McCleary after good work from Tyler Blackett in the build-up.

But just when Stam's men were pressing for an opener, City broke the deadlock with 28 minutes gone.

A poor kick from Ali Al-Habsi failed to find McShane and the hosts swiftly countered through the alert Bryan.

Al-Habsi must have thought he had atoned for his error by saving Bryan's initial shot, but Abraham was in the right place to tuck away the follow-up and give his side a precious lead.

Reading, though, should have levelled nine minutes later, only for Williams to slice a volley well wide on the back post from a Beerens cross after Kermorgant had opened up the City defence.

City remained a threat and Bryan tested Al-Habsi again three minutes before the break.

But they were fortunate to go in still ahead after Royals hit the woodwork on the stoke of half time.

Kermorgant used his strength to beat his marker to a superb Blackett cross, but the Frenchman's powerful header rattled the crossbar with Fielding beaten.

At that stage Royals would have had high hopes of finding a way back into the game.

But their task became even more difficult less than a minute into the second half.

Blackett was penalised for a clumsy block on Callum O'Dowda in the box, referee Roger East pointed to the spot and Abraham sent Al-Habsi the wrong way for his second of the day.

Swift couldn't capitalise on the chance to quickly pull one back when his free-kick missed the target.

And Royals were fortunate not to fall even further behind in the 53rd minute when Korey Smith failed to beat Al-Habsi when clean through after Liam Moore had been caught in possession.

Stam searched for a different approach, replaced Blackett with Jordan Obita and reverted to a wing-back system.

When that made little difference to the scoreline he also took off Swift and sent on fresh legs in the shape of Kelly.

The change worked a treat as Kelly scored within six minutes to half Bristol City's lead.

The fomer Academy midfielder collected a McCleary pass and showed quick feet to open a gap before calmly slotting past Fielding for his first Royals goal.

Then Kelly had a hand in the 86th minute equaliser, driving into the box before teeing up Kermorgant to convert from 12 yards.

Suddenly, Reading could sense a special finish - and it duly came when Stam's men piled forward and, with players lined up, Joey van den Berg laid the ball off to Kermorgant who smashed it past Fielding for the last-gasp winner.

Stam will now turn his attention to a return to Old Trafford for Reading's FA Cup third-round clash against his former club Manchester United this Saturday (12.30pm ko).

Bristol City: Fielding, Little, Flint, Matthews, Golbourne, Freeman (Wilbraham 78), Smith, Brownhill, Bryan, O'Dowda (Reid 61), Abraham. Subs not used: O'Donnell, Kelly, Paterson, Tomlin, Engvall. Booked: Little 64.

Reading: Al-Habsi, Gunter, Blackett (Obita 54), L.Moore, McShane (c), Van den Berg, Swift (Kelly 66), Williams, Beerens, McCleary (Meite 82), Kermorgant. Subs not used: S.Moore, Cooper, Evans, Samuel. Booked: Kermorgant 39, Van den Berg 68, Moore 77.

Referee: Roger East.

Attendance: 20,074.