Reading cruised to a 3-1 win over relegation-threatened Blackpool to ease any fears of being dragged into a relegation scrap.

Tom Ince, who played for the Tangerines over a decade ago, notched a brace and captain Andy Carroll grabbed a goal from the penalty spot to send the majority of the highest crowd of the season home happy.

Paul Ince, managing against one of his former clubs, made four changes from the 1-0 defeat at Cardiff City last week. However, the biggest difference was a move away from the often-used five at the back system, playing four at the back and providing Carroll with ammunition through orthodox wingers.

Looking for a first away win since October, it was the visitors who took the game to Reading. Winger Josh Bowler proved a menace and Gary Madine was consistently holding the ball in dangerous positions. Forcing a string of early corners, the Tangerines failed to convert these into testing chances and the hosts took advantage. Ince cut in from the right and had a tame effort on goal, however a deflection took it over Chris Maxwell and into the back of the net, followed by a muted celebration against his former club. Bowler and Madine continued to be a threat and should have scored, only for the ball to roll between the legs of the striker and away.

Despite being relatively open at the back, Reading really should have made more of their attacking play. Constantly manhandled by three defenders, Andy Carroll was a matter of millimetres away from connecting with Ince’s cross. Yakou Meite proved a threat out wide and should have made more of his cross having beaten the full-back, driving the ball into a gap rather than the cluster of players tight to Maxwell in the net. Carroll had an even better chance after he chested down a cross, only to thrash a shot wide. Always a threat, Madine saw a powerful effort tipped behind for a corner in stoppage time which represented the final chance of a largely positive half for the Royals.

Carrying on where they left off, it was McCarthy’s Blackpool who were looking the most threatening after the break. Thankfully for the hosts, it just was not dropping for them. The biggest chance fell to Sonny Carey, who sent in a piledriver after a penalty box scramble, only to find the arms of Lumley between the posts. Despite looking for all the world like equalising, Reading hit the Seasiders with a sucker punch as Meite drove through the attacking third before being taken out, earning a penalty. In front of a packed Eamonn Dolan Stand, Carroll coolly slotted past Maxwell to put daylight between the sides. If that didn’t knock the stuffing out of Blackpool, Ince’s second of the match just two minutes later certainly did, putting the Royals on course for their joint-largest home win of the season.

Playing well in between the boxes, the visitors continued to press and give the few hundred travelling supporters something to take back to the Fylde coast with, and they did deep into stoppage time as Carey fired home.

The job was done and the final minutes faded into obscurity before an almighty roar was let off at the final whistle as a productive afternoon’s efforts came to an end. With a clear week ahead, next Saturday sees the daunting trip to Teesside as another of Ince’s former clubs, promotion-chasing Middlesbrough, stand in the way of more points.