HEAD coach Jason Lee believes Reading Men will be under less pressure for the rest of the campaign following their 3-2 win over Sevenoaks at Sonning Lane on Sunday, writes Dave Wright.

While the Premier Division title is out of the question and their chances of making the play-offs are on the slim side, the Blues have hauled themselves well clear of the relegation zone.

"'Now we don't have to be fearful of getting embroiled in a relegation battle, we can enjoy the second half of the season," said Lee.

"It means we can play slightly more expansive hockey than we had to do earlier in the season."

Although his side are just two points behind fourth-placed Holcombe, they have played a game more and Lee admitted: "The play-offs are going to be challenging for us. I think the odds would be quite long for us, but we will still target them."

Blues – missing GB internationals Liam Sanford and Lee Morton – made hard work of defeating a Sevenoaks side languishing at the bottom of the table without a win from 11 matches.

After trailing to an Andy Oxburgh goal at half-time, the hosts took the lead with goals in the 46th and 47th minutes from Jatinder Bachu, following a driving run from Stuart Loughrey, and then Matt Richards, who drove high into the net from a tight angle.

But Ed Matts restored parity on 55 minutes with a goal Reading felt should have been disallowed. They were awarded a free hit and did not appear to play the ball before Matts moved in to fire past keeper Chris Wyver.

Winless Sevenoaks' hopes of collecting only their fourth point of the season disappeared when Sam Armitage netted Reading's winner two minutes from time, from a chance set up by Peter Scott.

Lee commented he was "really happy" with his team's performance on a day when they did not give away any penalty corners.

Reading travel to Paddington Recreation Ground this coming Sunday (2pm) to face second-placed Hampstead & Westminster.