Reading climbed to fourth place in the First Division with victory over Millwall at the New Den.

Alan Pardew's promotion-chasing Royals turned in an impressive display and a goal in each half from Nicky Forster and Darius Henderson secured all three points.

And it would have been even more if not for the brilliance of Millwall keeper Tony Warner.

Warner pulled off top-drawer saves to deny Forster and Steve Brown and the impressive James Harper also rattled the Millwall woodwork.

Pardew was forced into one change from the side that beat Gillingham on Monday even with midfielder Ricky Newman suspended. Andy Hughes came in to take his place.

Millwall manager Mark McGhee brought Alan Dunne, Ronnie Bull and Christophe Kinet into the Lions' starting line-up at the expense of Paul Ifill, Sergei Baltacha and Dennis Wise.

Kinet had the first real change of the game after just 40 seconds but he could not keep his effort from the edge of the box down and it sailed harmlessly over Hahnemann's crossbar.

Adi Williams had the chance to give Reading an early lead but he sent his shot over the crossbar from just six yards out after James Harper's fifth-minute corner had caused havoc in the Millwall box.

It was a real end-to-end battle but the Lions carved out the better openings. Darren Ward pulled a shot just wide of Hahnemann's left post on the quarter-hour and minutes later Charley Hearn volleyed wide.

Hahnemann produced a brilliant save to tip Livermore's powerful header round the post from Steven Reid's 22nd-minute free-kick after Williams had hauled down Bull.

The Royals struggled to carve out any clear-cut chances and resorted to long-range effort. Former Arsenal midfielder Steve Sidwell forced Warner into a solid save midway through the half.

The Royals gradually fought their way back into the game and Warner had to be on his toes after half-an-hour to keep out Brown's fierce effort.

Two minutes later, Warner again had to be at his best as he produced a stunning save to parry Forster's 25-yard shot as Reading started to take control of the game.

But right on the stroke of half-time the Royals were ahead.

Forster latched onto Hughes' ball from the left and drilled a left-footed shot past Warner and into the net.

Reading continued to have the better of the game after the break and John Salako had the opportunity to double the advantage on 58 minutes but his weak header from Hughes' cross was easily gathered by Warner.

Substitute Kevin Braniff nearly drew the Lions level with a fantastic overhead kick from Kinet's cross but Hahnemann superbly turned it around his post after 62 minutes.

But it was the visitors who were having the better of things and Luke Chadwick went close before Forster forced another good save from Warner on 70 minutes.

Moments later Hahnemann had to be alert to stop Reid's header from another Kinet cross but the Lions struggled to cause the Reading backline too many problems as they went in search of an equaliser.

The extra class Reading possessed shone through and Harper unleashed a fierce effort that came back off the crossbar with Warner well beaten 10 minutes from time.

And it was no surprise when Reading did eventually double their lead.

Substitute Darius Henderson picked the ball up 30 yards out and advanced to unleash a powerful drive from 25 yards that flew past Warner and wrapped up the points.

Teams

Millwall Warner, Dunne, Ryan, Ward, Robinson, Reid, Livermore, Bull (Braniff 53), Hearn, Kinet (Sweeney 84), Claridge.

Subs Not Used: Gueret, May, Rees.

Booked: Ryan.

Reading Hahnemann, Murty, Williams, Brown, Shorey, Chadwick (Henderson 77), Sidwell, Hughes, Harper, Salako, Forster (Tyson 86).

Subs Not Used: Watson, Mackie, Ashdown.

Booked: Williams, Hahnemann.

Goals: Forster 45, Henderson 83.

Att: 7,038

Ref: P Dowd (Staffordshire).