Reading FC returned from the international break by collecting three points which included a goal of the season contender from Lewis Wing.
The Royals went in front through Amadou Mbengue before Harry Forster’s deflected effort levelled the game.
Before the break, Wing smashed an unstoppable effort from 35 yards to restore Reading’s lead.
Charlie Savage and Sam Smith rounded off the scoring in the second-half to settle the game.
Goalkeeper David Button made an excellent stop to deny Will Swan, but then was then spared a moment of embarrassment as a back pass ran under his foot, but fortunately didn’t have enough power to go over the line.
Young winger Adrian Akande showed his pace and threat when he latched onto a long ball from Mbengue and forced the Crawley keeper into a strong save.
Reading opened the scoring after 20 minutes when a Wing free-kick delivery wasn’t cleared properly by the visitors, fell into the path of Mbengue who spun swiftly and planted the ball into the bottom corner.
Just moments later, Mbengue was the hero again as he spared Button’s blushes after his goalkeeper gave the ball away on the edge of his own box, but the centre-back raced back onto the line to make a vital clearance.
Having missed a few clear cut chances, Crawley finally found the target to get a deserved equaliser as Reading failed to deal with a short corner routine before Forster’s shot came through a crowd of bodies and took a deflection to beat Button.
However, the moment of the half was yet to come as Wing stunned all in attendance at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
The long shot specialist took aim from 35 yards out and unleashed a thunderous effort which flew into the top corner to put Reading back in front after 40 minutes.
The away team looked to peg Reading back again and came close quickly after the restart as Button made an important stop from Swan.
An early second-half change saw Harvey Knibbs replaced by Chem Campbell.
After surviving some scares, Reading found some breathing room when Charlie Savage made it 3-1 just after the hour mark.
Sam Smith was played through on goal, goalkeeper Wollocot rushed out to slide the ball away for him but Savage reacted quickly to hit a first timed shot into the empty net.
Reading put more gloss on the scoreline when Smith was picked out by Wing, took a touch to set himself before tucking the ball into the corner.
Ruben Selles’ side are back in League One action away to Exeter City on Tuesday.
Reading: Button, Craig, Mbengue, Bindon, Garcia, Wing, Savage, Elliott, Akande, Knibbs, Smith
Subs: Campbell, Dean, Rowley, Rushesha, Spencer, Tuma, Wareham
Crawley: Wollacott, Mullarkey, Barker, Mukena, Forster, Anderson, Ibrahim, Junior Quirtirna, Darcy, Kelly, Swan
Subs: Bragg, Hepburn-Murphy, Holohan, Panutche Camara, Roles, Showumi, Tanimu
Goals: Mbengue 20’, Forster 30’, Wing 40’, Savage 65’, Smith 73’
