In Reading’s promotion winning season of 2011-12, the Royals only scored 69 goals. In comparison, last season’s champions Norwich City scored 93.

In the campaign, Reading only managed to score four goals in a game twice – away at West Ham and in the rout over Barnsley at Oakwell in March 2012.

Reading went into the game against Barnsley chasing a ninth win in ten league matches, with a midweek draw earlier in the week against Doncaster Rovers ending a run of eight consecutive victories.

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Reading nearly took the lead after just 45 seconds, with Noel Hunt drawing a fine save from Barnsley stopper Luke Steele.

Steele was called into action later in the first half, turning away a long-range drive from Mikele Leigertwood.

The hosts managed to hold firm until half time and Brian McDermott’s side knew that they’d need to produce a fine performance in the second half to stop the promotion charge from stalling.

That is exactly what McDermott got from his team.

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Just two minutes into the second half, Royals skipper Jobi Mcanuff ran onto a Jason Roberts lay-off and finished coolly beyond Luke Steele to give the visitors the lead.

The Royals weren’t satisfied with the one goal advantage and only took two more minutes to double the lead, when Jem Karacan capitalized on defensive hesitancy from Barnsley – slamming the ball into the roof of the net from 12 yards out.

Karacan wasn’t renowned for his goalscoring exploits for Reading but doubled his tally for the day in the 57th minute, adding a third for Reading and putting the game beyond doubt with a fantastic finish, having been teed up on the edge of the area by Noel Hunt.

Barnsley did look to score a consolation, but it wasn’t the Tykes day. Jason Roberts sealed a comprehensive victory for McDermott’s side, latching on a pass from Alex Pearce in the last minute.