PAUL McShane put Reading FC firmly back on play-off track with a late winner against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Royals’ top-six credentials came under the spotlight following back-to-back defeats to promotion rivals Huddersfield Town and Brighton and only one win from their previous five Championship fixtures.

But Jaap Stam’s men did just enough to claim all three points against a spirited Wolves and hold onto fifth place in the table above Sheffield Wednesday, who thrashed Norwich 5-1, and Fulham, who defeated Preston 3-1.

This was anything but a vintage display from the Royals who laboured for long periods of the game and lacked a cutting edge.

But Stam’s men had the character to brush that aside and keep their belief when it seemed relegation-haunted Wolves would leave Madejski Stadium with a precious point.

After a dire first half, Reading broke the deadlock three minutes into the second period when Yann Kermorgant deflected in a Danny Williams drive.

Ben Marshall levelled for Paul Lambert’s visitors less than two minutes later, but skipper McShane sealed victory 12 minutes from time with a bullet header from a John Swift free-kick to condemn Wolves to a fifth successive Championship defeat.

Stam made three changes from the side that lost 3-0 at Brighton with Joey van Den Berg returning from injury and Swift stepping into midfield.

He also handed a full debut to Steaua Bucharest signing Adrian Popa, while Jordon Mutch, George Evans and Garath McCleary, who has picked up a knock, were the men to miss out.

Lambert, meanwhile, made six changes from the side that lost 2-1 to Birmingham City as he attempted to reverse his team’s slide towards the drop zone.

The Wolves boss would have been encouraged by his team’s start as they managed to snuff out any danger for the opening quarter.

Royals, meanwhile, created the occasional opening thanks to the lively Popa without really testing Carl lkeme in the visitors’ goal.


Stam’s men controlled possession from the off but they lacked penetration in the final third, as the game descended into a midfield battle lacking in quality.

Such was the lack of goalmouth action that it took more than 38 minutes for either side to register a shot on or off target.

It was Reading who finally ended the long wait when Swift drilled a free-kick through the wall and into Ikeme’s arms after Mike Williamson had been booked for hacking down the ex-Chelsea player.

But Wolves immediately hit back three minutes later, Helder Costa cutting in from the right before unleashing an effort that deflected behind off Liam Moore.

Wolves called for a penalty for handball against Moore, but referee Andrew Madley did not want to know.

Then Lambert’s men almost scored from Costa’s resulting corner only for Ali Al-Habsi to scoop the ball off his own line to keep out a Romain Saiss header.

Conor Coady also went close from distance after Wolves recycled the ball and Reading were still regrouping.


At least there was something to keep supporters interested for the second half.

And their patience was rewarded when Royals broke the deadlock three minutes into the second-half.

There was more than hint of good fortunate about it as a Williams piledriver struck the unsuspecting Kermorgant, wrong-footing Ikeme who had gone the other way.

It was the Frenchman’s ninth goal of the season – but it was swiftly wiped out by Wolves who equalised less than two minutes later.

Royals had switched off when Costa burst down the right and whipped the ball across for Marshall to slide in and direct it past Al-Habsi from close range.

Suddenly, the game was wide open as Wolves became a serious threat to the hosts.

Lambert’s men almost snatched the lead in the 56th minute when Al-Habsi kept out a Coady effort at full-stretch after Van Den Berg had slipped in midfield.

Royals’ keeper was called into action again a minute later when he held on to a powerful header from Edwards, then Nouha Dicko fired into the side netting when he had men in support.

Stam turned to his bench just after the hour mark and threw on Lewis Grabban and Yakou Meite for Roy Beerens and Popa in an effort to inject a spark up front.

A third, enforced change, soon followed when van den Berg went off clutching his hamstring and was replaced by Evans.

But the visitors remained on the front foot as George Saville smacked a 25-yarder straight down Al-Habsi’s throat after more suspect defending from the nervy Royals.

Evans replied with an effort that missed from similar range, but Stam’s men did regain the lead with 12 minutes to go.

It looked as though their best chance of scoring again would come from a set piece and so it proved, Meite winning a free-kick on the right, Swift curling it in and McShane rising highest to power a header past Ikeme and into the corner of the net.

The goal was harsh on Wolves who had looked the more likely to score again at the time.

And a rotten day at the office got worse for the visitors when Williams was sent off with five minutes to go after challenge on Kermorgant brought a second yellow card.

Even then they pushed for a second goal, but Romaine Saiss missed the target with an angled drive at the death.

It was crucial victory for Reading who know they will have to improve up front when they host leaders Newcastle United on Tuesday night (8pm ko).

Reading FC: Al-Habsi, Gunter, Blackett, Moore, McShane (c), Van den Berg (Evans 71), Swift, Williams, Beerens (Grabban 63), Popa (Meite 63), Kermorgant. Subs not used: Jaakkola, Obita, Kelly, Mutch. Booked: Kermorgant 90, Williams 90.

Wolves: Ikeme, Edwards (c), Saville (Bodvarsson 84), Dicko (Weimann 72), Coady (Doherty 90), Costa, Iorfa, Saiss, Hause, Williamson, Marshall. Subs not used: Lonergan, Batth, Price, Enobakhare. Booked: Williamson 38 & 85, Dicko 66, Saiss 85. Red card: Williamson 85.

Referee: Andrew Madley.

Attendance: 18,629 (Wolves 1,814).