On this day 14 years ago, Reading were a Premier League side hoping to cling on to top-division status for a third season running.

After a tricky spell of eight straight defeats over December, January and February, Steve Coppell side came into a game against Manchester City on the back of a 90th minute win over Middlesbrough on Teeside.

Due to the congested nature of the league, the Royals had slipped from 13th-18th over the course of the losing streak, however from this day on the side would not drop back into the relegation zone until the penultimate match-day of the season.

Sven Goran-Erikson’s Citizens side were sat in 8th position and pushing for European qualification following a strong campaign.

This match up against the Royals came at an inconsistent spell for City, who had won one, drawn one and lost one in their three previous matches.

Croatia international Vedran Corluka had the first chance of the game after he evaded the defender at a corner as a free-kick was curled into the box, however he managed to skew his shot over the bar from close range.

Reading hit back not long after when a short John Oster corner found its way to Marek Matejovsky on the edge of the box. His deflected effort forced a strong save from future England international Joe Hart.

Goalless at the break, Reading had the first big chance of the second half as Andre Bikey strikes the bar as a corner kick is recycled.

The breakthrough came just past the hour mark as Shane Long flicks on a header from a goal kick and clever play from Kevin Doyle sees him wriggle free of the defender on the byline before pulling a cross back for an unmarked Long to fire home at the near post.

Coppell’s side should’ve extended the lead as a Liam Rosenior cross is cleared by Hart but straight to the feet of Stephen Hunt. His shot from the edge of the box hits his own teammate, Doyle, and is eventually cleared.

Thankfully Reading do extend their lead on 88 minutes when Dave Kitson cuts in from the right and slides a shot past the helpless Hart to confirm the win for the Royals.

The win boosted the side back up to a healthy 13th place, however just one more home win, and more importantly a defeat to the resurgent Fulham, meant that the club went down to the Championship on goal difference, despite a 0-4 away win over league whipping-boys Derby County.