Premiership-bound Reading broke the record for an unbeaten run in the second tier of English football with this victory over rock-bottom Crewe.

Their 31-game stretch without defeat - they have not lost since the opening day - takes them one match past the Liverpool team of 1893/94, although the hosts gave them plenty of scares along the way.

Lee Bell opened the scoring in the 14th minute but a Nicky Shorey free-kick and Steve Sidwell's header in the space of just over a minute handed Steve Coppell's side the advantage midway through the first half.

Leroy Lita extended that lead with a low drive just before the break, and despite Gareth Taylor grabbing a second just after half-time, Lita's 13th of the season restored the advantage before Kenny Lunt pulled another back with a penalty for Shorey's handball.

Lunt was red-carded in stoppage time for a crude lunge on Stephen Hunt.

The Alex are without a win in 15 matches since early November and their seventh straight defeat sees them well adrift at the bottom.

Despite their differing situations, it was end to end from the very start with both teams more than willing to press forward.

The Alex put up firm early resistance, with the impressive Luke Rodgers only being denied by the corner of the bar and post after Royals goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann blocked Gary Roberts' shot.

The American had also made a decent save from a Billy Jones header before forgotten man Bell gave the hosts the lead in the 14th minute with a low finish after Hahnemann failed to hold Rodgers' powerful strike.

But the Royals had already seen Kevin Doyle and Lita denied by the woodwork and they were soon ahead themselves with a quick-fire double.

In the 25th minute, Alex goalkeeper Ross Turnbull got across goal but could not keep out Shorey's free-kick after Jon Otsemobor had fouled Bobby Convey on the edge of the area.

And just over a minute later, Sidwell, who had missed a similar chance earlier, rose alone in the Crewe area to nod home Glenn Little's cross.

That knocked the stuffing out of the hosts, although Hahnemann had to be alert to push a powerful drive from Roberts around the post, while Convey's low effort was held by Turnbull, who also blocked another Shorey effort, at the other end.

But two minutes before the break and fed by Shorey, Lita raced into the box and blasted home a third.

Crewe would not lie down and closed the gap five minutes after the interval with Taylor's first goal since joining on-loan from Nottingham Forest after Steve Jones had an effort saved following Otsemobor and Lunt's build-up play.

But again a couple of minutes later, Reading hit back with Lita flicking Convey's driven cross past Turnbull at the near post.

With 22 minutes left, Shorey handled Steve Jones' cross and Lunt sent Hahnemann the wrong way with the spot-kick.

Crewe continued to battle but the Royals' defence, which has not conceded three in the league all season, was not about to give up a fourth and closed the game down.

Lunt's sending off for tripping Hunt in added time was symptomatic of the home side's frustration.

Teams:

Crewe Turnbull, Otsemobor, Foster, Billy Jones,Tonkin (Moss 87), Lunt, Roberts, Bell (McCready 69),Steve Jones, Taylor, Rodgers.

Subs Not Used: Tomlinson, Higdon, Johnson.

Sent Off: Lunt (90).

Goals: Bell 14, Taylor 51, Lunt 68 pen.

Reading Hahnemann, Murty, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey,Little (Gunnarsson 90), Harper, Sidwell, Convey (Hunt 79),Lita (Kitson 81), Doyle.

Subs Not Used: Oster, Stack.

Goals: Shorey 24, Sidwell 26, Lita 43, 53.

Att: 6,484

Ref: C Webster (Tyne & Wear).