A dramatic stoppage time goal stole Reading’s first win in Hull for 28 years, beating the Tigers 2-1 at the MKM Stadium.

Falling behind in the first 10 minutes, Yakou Meite levelled in the first half before a late free kick was bundled home in the final seconds to snatch all three points.

In the early knockings it was all Hull as the hosts, buoyed by a new manager bounce, looked to take advantage of the home crowd. It took just four minutes for Dean Bouzanis to be called into action, easily catching a tame effort at his near post from Ryan Longman. After making a strong save to deny the home side from a recycled corner, there was very little he could do on nine minutes when Greaves was found unmarked from the resulting corner, thundering home a header to add to an already strong atmosphere. It could very nearly have been two midway through the half as Bouzanis slipped when coming out to clear a loose ball, only for the Australian to slip and leave Longman one against one with Amadou Mbengue and an open goal, but the young defender held him up well and eventually the ball was cleared to safety.

On half hour, the Royals recovered and had a spell of their own, with Tom Ince, Junior Hoilett and Andy Yiadom linking well on the right-hand side. After a long-range shot from Ince was blocked, Hoilett danced to the edge of the box and hit a low shot destined for the back of the net, only for Nathan Baxter to claw it behind. The ball did not have to wait long until it was nestled in the Tigers’ net, Meite bundling home a corner at the far post to draw the visitors level. Neither side tested the goalkeepers too much in the final 15 minutes, Ryan Woods going closest with a strike from distance. Moments later, the former Birmingham City and Brentford midfielder was taken out by Jeff Hendrick, with the referee going against the wishes of the home supporters and only booking the Republic of Ireland international instead of showing red.

After an action-packed opening half, clear-cut chances were few and far between in the second period. The hosts controlled most of the possession, looking threatening when breaking forward. However, the Royals held their own for the majority, even having a chance of their own when Yiadom whipped in a cross to Meite, who could only direct his header into the arms of Baxter. Ince could have fired in a memorable winner, latching onto Lucas Joao’s cushioned lay-off, only to smash the ball into a Hull body and fail to take advantage of the resulting set-piece.

 Just as it looked to be ending as a draw, Ince sent a free kick into the box deep into stoppage time and the ball was bundled home by Tigers forward Longman, to the delight of the travelling supporters behind the goal.

Now heading into a World Cup break, Reading will not be in action for another four weeks. During which the squad will head for warm training in Tenerife.