Nicky Forster's second hat-trick of the season took Reading a step nearer to securing a play-off spot as the Royals breezed past nine-man Preston at the Madejski Stadium.

Forster put the hosts in firm control with a first half brace, his first goal coming moments after North End defender Michael Jackson saw red for two yellow cards.

Nicky Shorey made it three from the penalty spot on 57 when Lilywhites keeper David Lucas, who was also sent off, brought down Glen Little, before man-of-the-match Forster wrapped up his hat-trick a minute later.

The Royals suffered a surprise defeat to Brighton last time out, but started brightly with James Harper forcing a smart early save from Lucas.

Lucas had to be alert again in the 10th minute to turn aside Forster's neat shot.

At the other end midfielder Paul McKenna fired over Graham Alexander's free-kick for Preston five minutes later when he should have done better.

The Lilywhites were defending comfortably until a moment of madness from Jackson saw them reduced to 10 men.

Booked for a foul on winger John Salako in the second minute, Jackson then hacked down Forster 25 minutes later, collecting his second booking in the process.

Three minutes later Forster fired Reading ahead. Luke Chadwick crossed towards on-loan Burnley midfielder Glen Little whose powerful shot was well saved by Lucas, only for Forster to smash home the rebound.

Reading turned the screw after the goal, and Salako almost doubled his side's lead six minutes later when his close range right-foot shot hit the woodwork.

The hosts got the second goal when the lively Forster fired home Salako's pass from the edge of the area.

Things went from bad to worse for Preston eight minutes after the restart when they were reduced to nine men when Lucas hauled down Little in the area.

The punishment was doubled when Shorey sent sub keeper Jonathon Gould the wrong way from the spot, and less than 60 seconds later Forster converted Adrian Williams' pass from six yards to seal his hat-trick and the points.

Preston coped admirably for the remainder of the match, and even pulled a goal back when Tyrone Mears let fly from distance to grab a wonderful consolation.

But Darius Henderson had the last word for the home side, tapping in deep into stoppage time for number five.

Teams:

Reading Hahnemann, Murty, Williams, Brown, Shorey, Salako, Hughes, Harper, Little (Tyson 73), Chadwick (Cureton 59), Forster (Henderson 59).

Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Newman.

Booked: Brown.

Goals: Forster 30, 42, Shorey 57 pen, Forster 58, Henderson 90.

Preston Lucas, Alexander, Jackson, Lucketti, Mears, Cartwright, McKenna (Gould 56), Etuhu (O'Neil 84), Skora, Lynch (Lewis 38), Cresswell.

Subs Not Used: Abbott, Edwards.

Sent Off: Jackson (28), Lucas (55).

Booked: Jackson.

Goals: Mears 83.

Att: 14,012

Ref: P Taylor (Hertfordshire).