David Healy's last-minute strike gave Preston victory in a Nationwide Division One game they looked to have thrown away.

The Lilywhites had missed a series of chances and it seemed John Salako's 82nd-minute effort would rescue a point for 10-man Reading, who had Lloyd Owusu dismissed for a two-footed lunge on Tyrone Mears.

But Healy volleyed home his second goal of the game to give Preston, who also hit the woodwork twice, a deserved win.

The home side made a bright start and Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann was forced into an early save as he beat away Fuller's effort after Ricky Newman had carelessly given the ball away.

Preston were forced to replace Michael Jackson with Tyrone Mears after just eight minutes before the Royals went close when James Harper was inches wide with a header from Brooker's cross.

Richard Cresswell was given two free headers by a sleeping Reading defence but he placed both wide.

The dangerous Fuller then came within inches of breaking the deadlock with a delightful curling effort from 25 yards which beat Hahnemann but cannoned back off the woodwork in the 21st minute.

Preston continued to enjoy the majority of the game and on the half-hour Hahnemann pulled off a superb save to turn Healy's effort from the edge of the box around the post for a corner.

Andy Lonergan, in for the injured Jonathan Gould, made a rare save from Andy Hughes' effort at the other end before Preston took the lead.

Fuller blocked Adrian Williams' clearance and the ball bounced out to Healy, who burst in on goal, rounded Hahnemann and rolled the ball into the net.

Keane came close to doubling the advantage four minutes before half-time but his left-footed effort came back off the woodwork.

The Royals had the worst possible start to the second half when they were reduced to 10 men on 48 minutes. Referee Mike Jones had no hesitation in showing Owusu a straight red card for his a lunge on Mears.

Scott Murray went close twice for Reading before he made way for Dave Kitson.

Keane also flashed an effort wide and Alexander stung the palms of Hahnemann with the Lilywhites still in control.

Fuller saw an effort blocked and Hahnemann turned away a Cresswell effort.

Fuller drilled wide before Nicky Shorey cleared his effort off the line 15 minutes from the end as Preston did everything but score.

North End were made to pay for their profligacy as Reading drew level, completely against the run of play.

A long ball from the right was headed back across the goal by Kitson and veteran John Salako rammed the ball past Lonergan.

But the visitors were not on level terms for long as Healy pounced for the winner, smashing home from close range after Fuller had headed Mears' corner back across goal.

Teams:

Preston Lonergan, Alexander, Lucketti, Jackson (Mears 9), Davis (Lewis 62), Edwards, Healy, McKenna, Keane, Fuller, Cresswell.

Subs Not Used: Lucas, McCormack, Lynch.

Booked: Alexander.

Goals: Healy 35, 89.

Reading Hahnemann, Newman, Ingimarsson, Williams, Shorey, Murray (Kitson 51), Harper, Sidwell, Brooker (Salako 68), Hughes, Owusu.

Subs Not Used: Young, Savage, Goater.

Sent Off: Owusu (48).

Booked: Sidwell.

Goals: Salako 82.

Att: 11,745

Ref: M Jones (Mansfield).