Reading moved up into the League One play-off places with a convincing home victory over Peterborough United.
Despite all the off field problems that continue to plague the club, Noel Hunt’s side were able to place their focus on their top six target as an own goal proved to be enough to lift them into the play-off places.
Hunt was forced to name a makeshift back four without his first choice centre-back partnership of Amadou Mbengue, who is out injured, and Tyler Bindon, who was on international duty with New Zealand last week. Tivonge Rushesha and Kelvin Abrefa were at full-back, while club captain Andy Yiadom and Michael Stickland completed the back four.
However, the untested back four managed to keep a clean sheet to help their side to a much needed three points.
Reading went in front with a stunning, free flowing move which saw Kelvin Abrefa, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan, Charlie Savage, Mamadi Camara and Chem Campbell all involved before the ball was turned into his own net by Sam Hughes.
The Royals added some comfort to the scoreline before the hour mark when Charlie Savage’s cross was headed towards goal by Camara and finished from a few yards out by Harvey Knibbs.
The Royals put themselves in a fantastic position minutes later when substitute Jayden Wareham hooked the ball across the box to set up Savage to finish.
However, the Posh did hit back just moments after Reading’s third when Kwame Poku cut the deficit as he fired the ball past a wall of Reading bodies to beat Joel Pereira.
Reading are back in action on Tuesday night when they face 10th placed Blackpool away from home.
Reading: Pereira, Rushesha, Stickland, Yiadom, Abrefa, Savage, Wing, Knibbs, Campbell, Camara, Ehibhatiomhan
Sucs: Button, Akande, Bodin, Carroll, Holzman, Kanu, Wareham
Peterborough: Steer, Dornelly, Fernandez, Hughes, Edun, Susoho, Collins, Poku, Mothersille, Odoh, Jones
Subs: Bilokapic, De Havilland, Hayes, Johnston, Katongo, Kyprianou, Lindgren
Goals: Hughes (o.g) 7’, Knibbs 58’, Savage 63’, Poku 66’
