Reading FC picked up a rare win on the road as a Harvey Knibbs double saw off Peterborough United.
Ruben Selles named a strong starting XI following the international break as the Royals looked to correct their dismal away record.
The Royals got off to the best possible start when Knibbs latched on to a rebound after Sam Smith’s strike was stopped by Nicholas Bilokapic and finished from close range to put the visitors in front.
There were half chances for both sides before Knibbs doubled the advantage in the 23rd minute.
Charlie Savage unlocked the Posh defence with an excellent through ball and Knibbs applied the finish by rounding the keeper and finding the far corner.
Reading could have had the game almost dead and buried when Smith was fed by Jeriel Dorsett but had his strike parried away.
Peterborough had chances to get back into the game, but were thwarted at the end of the half thanks to a superb double stop from Joel Pereira to keep it at 2-0.
Reading’s afternoon came inches away from getting even better just after the restart when Savage rattled the crossbar with a half volley.
Centre-back Amadou Mbengue had to be replaced with half an hour to go as he was forced off with an injury and substituted for Abraham Kanu.
The hosts’ clearest opportunity of the half came when the ball was cut back in the six-yard box for Kwame Poku but he fired wide of the target much to Reading’s relief.
The home side grabbed a goal back deep into stoppage time to set up a nervy finish when Emmanuel Fernandez scored in the 96th minute.
However, Reading were able to shut them out further to cling onto the three points.
Reading are back on the road on Tuesday against Barnsley.
Peterborough: Bilokapic, Dornelly, Wallin, Fernandez, Sparkes, Collins, De Havilland, Poku, Randall, Mothersille, Jones
Subs: Blackmore, Conn-Clarke, Curtis, Hayes, Nevett, O’Brien-Brady, Odoh
Reading: Pereira, Dorsett, Mbengue, Bindon, Craig, Savage, Wing, Elliott, Knibbs, Campbell, Smith
Subs: Ahmed, Akande, Button, Camara, Garcia, Kanu, Wareham
Goals: Knibbs 9’, 23’, Fernandez 90+6′
