Reading remain outside the League One play-off places on goal difference despite thumping Mansfield 5-1 away from home in a convincing display.
Play-off rivals Leyton Orient completed a comeback from a goal down to ensure they beat Cambridge United which means they currently lead Reading in the final play-off place with a +10 better goal difference with just two games left to play.
Noel Hunt opted for some changes following Reading’s disappointing home defeat to Lincoln City on Friday as Tivonge Rushesha and Jayden Wareham came in to replace Kelvin Abrefa and Mamadi Camara in the starting eleven.
While Reading were aiming to get back into the top six to secure a play-off place, Mansfield were looking to keep themselves away from the relegation zone, starting the day five points above the drop zone.
Reading had to weather an early storm as Mansfield started the better of the two sides with the opportunity to secure their League One future with a win.
Despite that, it was Reading who went into the break with an advantage as they netted from their first shot on target.
Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan flicked a neat ball for Wareham who found space on the edge of the box to take aim and he picked out the bottom corner with a sumptuous finish to put Reading ahead.
A familiar face came on for the hosts at half-tine as Reading academy graduate Caylan Vickers, who left Reading in January 2024 to join Brighton & Hove Albion, came off for Mansfield who he joined on loan in January.
Reading took further control of the contest minutes after the restart through a bizarre own goal.
Charlie Savage could have scored, but could only force a save from the keeper before defender George Williams inexplicably clawed the ball into his own net.
The points were all but sealed when midfield maestro Lewis Wing hit another thunderbolt from range to add to his collection of stunning strikes.
Mansfield replied quickly to get themselves back in the contest when Keanu Baccus was picked out in the box and tucked the ball into the corner past Joel Periera.
Reading put the game beyond doubt with 15 left to play when Wing smacked the post with another long range effort, but Wareham was on hand to convert the rebound to get his second of the game.
Noel Hunt’s men finished the game in style with a fifth as Harvey Knibbs laid it on a plate for Billy Bodin to finish
Reading are at Bristol Rovers in their final away trip of the season next Saturday.
Mansfield: Pym, Bowery, Kilgour, Oshilaja, Hewitt, Lewis Reed, Baccus, Cargill, Maris, Akins
Subs: Boateng, Dywer, Flinders, Flint, Rhodes, Vickers, Williams
Reading: Pereira, Rushesha, Mbengue, Bindon, Garcia, Savage, Wing, Knibbs, Campbell, Wareham, Ehibhatiomhan
Subs: Norcott, Akande, Bodin, Camara, Carroll, Yiadom, Stickland
Goals: Wareham 35’, 73’, Williams (og) 49’, Wing 57’, Baccus 62’, Bodin 90+5′
