Scott Murray's winner ended Reading's dismal recent run and sent Forest spiralling ever-nearer to the bottom three.

The winger's fifth goal of the season after 41 minutes was enough to sink a Forest side now without a league win in 12 games.

Nicky Forster's incisive pass played Murray in behind the home defence and he made no mistake to beat Darren Ward from 12 yards.

Reading manager Steve Coppell was able to include Forster after the striker recovered from a stomach muscle injury.

Forest boss Paul Hart is continuing to patch-up striker Gareth Taylor, who is struggling with a niggling knee injury which will require surgery.

Though the former Burnley man is unable to move with complete freedom he remains a threat in the air. And his powerful header from Matthieu Louis-Jean's cross was as close as Forest came early on.

The Frenchman picked out Taylor with a precise cross which he nodded narrowly over.

Murray looked most likely to break down the home defence but Wes Morgan's brave block denied the pacy former Bristol City man.

Tottenham target Andy Reid was generally an isolated figure, though when he did find space seconds before the break his delightful cross found the head of Taylor who was unable to test Marcus Hahnemann.

The Irishman has been the sole bright spark of Forest's hugely disappointing season, but he struggled with the burden of expectation. With Reid unable to exert an influence Taylor and Marlon King were forced to work hard for every opening.

King, who had opened his Forest account in the 1-0 FA Cup victory against West Brom, displayed a willingness to battle but was too easily negated by the Reading defence.

When the former Gillingham man did find space on the edge of the Reading area his right-footed shot was blocked by Adie Williams.

Paul Hart replaced Brynjar Gunnarsson with Eugen Bopp midway through the second half, and the German youngster immediately injected some urgency.

After winning possession in midfield Bopp turned and unleashed a stinging shot which Hahnemann did well to hold.

The ineffective Shaun Goater was replaced by Lloyd Owusu with 15 minutes remaining and his foul on Bopp provided Forest with a free-kick in a dangerous position. However, Reid's delivery could not find a red shirt and the danger was cleared.