John Salako's late winner moved promotion-chasing Reading up to fifth in the First Division table.

Rod Wallace had given Gillingham a 10th-minute lead but the home side were level within three minutes as debutant Luke Chadwick's deflected shot beat goalkeeper Jason Brown.

The Royals had looked set to miss out on three valuable points when Steve Sidwell's second-half penalty was saved by Brown, but Salako popped up at the death to net his third goal in two games.

Chadwick's inclusion was the only change for the Royals, while Gillingham welcomed skipper Paul Smith back into their starting line-up.

The visitors took the lead from their first meaningful attack.

Player-manager Andy Hessenthaler floated in a free-kick from the left, strike duo Mamady Sidibe and Wallace both beat the offside trap, and the latter headed home for his fifth goal of the season.

Their lead lasted just three minutes, however, as Chadwick marked his first start with a fortuitous strike.

He cut inside marker Leon Johnson before firing in a shot that deflected off the Gills defender and looped over the head of Brown.

A neat break from the visitors almost brought a second goal after 15 minutes. Hessenthaler threaded a pass through to Nicky Southall but the midfielder's low shot on the run whistled past the near post.

Reading were enjoying a lot of possession without creating any clear-cut scoring opportunities and Gillingham responded with three good openings in as many minutes.

Veteran playmaker Hessenthaler ran at the Royals defence and slid the ball to Sidibe but his weak shot came off the legs of keeper Marcus Hahnemann.

From the resulting corner defender Chris Hope saw his header cleared off the line by Nicky Shorey, and 60 seconds later the Gills carved open the home defence once again.

Hessenthaler played the ball to Wallace, who touched it on to Sidibe, but the Mali international's angled drive was well-held by Hahnemann.

Salako's looping header caused problems for Brown shortly after the restart, while at the other end Gillingham should have restored their lead.

James' defence-splitting pass set Wallace clear but he unselfishly played the ball across to Sidibe who missed his kick with the goal gaping.

Hahnemann produced a fine save to deny Roland Edge moments later as the visitors continued to surge forward.

Reading boss Alan Pardew brought on striker Darius Henderson in place of midfielder James Harper in the 67th minute, and two minutes later he had earned his side a dubious penalty.

Goalkeeper Brown jumped to collect a high ball, missed and brought down Henderson - the referee pointed to the spot.

Gillingham will feel justice was done, though, as Sidwell's kick was saved by the Wales Under-21 international.

Pardew threw caution to the wind and brought on another attacker in Nathan Tyson, and he was quickly into the action, latching onto Henderson's flick only to send his shot wide.

The visitors had rarely threatened after their positive start to the second half, but they countered and sub Guy Ipoua forced a diving stop from Hahnemann after 81 minutes.

The Royals' joint top scorer Nicky Forster had been quiet for most of the game, but almost scored with six minutes remaining.

Henderson's low cross was flicked goalwards by the seven-goal striker but Brown somehow managed to claw the ball away.

The Gillingham stopper was finally beaten for the second time with just two minutes left.

Tyson's deflected cross found Salako, and his volley on the turn took a touch off David Perpetuini to take the ball past the unlucky Brown.

Reading Hahnemann, Murty, Shorey, Williams, Brown, Chadwick (Tyson 77), Salako, Sidwell (Hughes 83), Newman, Harper (Henderson 67), Forster.

Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Mackie.

Goals: Chadwick 13, Salako 88.

Gillingham Brown, Nosworthy, Edge, Hope, Leon Johnson, James, Hessenthaler (Perpetuini 83), Smith, Southall, Sidibe (Ipoua 73), Wallace.

Subs Not Used: Rose, Spiller, Knowles.

Booked: Southall, Brown.

Goals: Wallace 10.

Att: 11,030

Ref: P Rejer (Worcestershire).