Andy Hughes' 74th-minute header earned Reading a crucial win that moves them
level on points with third-placed Sheffield United and to within touching
distance of place in the Nationwide Division One play-offs.
Both sides seem likely to finish in the top six, but with Ipswich registering
a 3-0 win over Portsmouth earlier today, Forest boss Paul Hart will hope his
side's inability to convert their chances in the first half will not prove too
costly come the end of the season.
Hart's men were the more threatening in the first half and Andy Reid's
sweetly-struck effort after 35 minutes cannoned off a post.
But Reading responded positively and, following a spell of intense pressure,
scored the decisive goal to strengthen their position in the Division One
table.
Hart made wholesale changes to the starting XI that lost 1-0 to Sheffield
United in midweek and, perhaps understandably, his side were slow to adjust.
Reading asserted their dominance with a controlled spell of sustained pressure
and, in particular, Luke Chadwick's deft footwork and threatening runs on the
wing meant the Forest back four could not afford to be complacent.
However, Forest battled back gamely and began to carve out the better
chances.
Defender Mathieu Louis-Jean's incisive run was complemented with a wonderful
ball into the box that spun inches away from the boot of Marlon Harewood after
21 minutes.
Just before the half hour Marcus Hahnemann had to be at his best in the
Reading goal.
Harewood's ball picked out Darren Huckerby who controlled well before
unleashing a fine strike that was bettered by Hahnemann, who stood up and palmed
the ball away.
But the American goalkeeper could do nothing as Huckerby unlocked a static
Royals defence with a teasing ball that found Reid in space inside the area.
Reid jinked to his right before driving hard and low, only for the ball to
strike Hahnemann's left-hand post and drift harmlessly away to safety.
Aware that his side were struggling, Reading boss Alan Pardew replaced Glen
Little with striker Darius Henderson at the break.
Pardew again showed why he is one of the best managers in the country as the
decision to give Nicky Forster more support changed the course of the game.
Buoyed by a fervent crowd, Reading clawed their way back into the match and
went desperately close to opening the scoring after a good ball from Forster
found Hughes whose 10-yard header rocketed just over the crossbar.
But the Reading fans' support for their side turned into derision aimed at the
referee when Eugen Bopp looked to have handled after 68 minutes.
The midfielder did not deal with a high ball and it appeared to strike his
right hand on the way down. But, much to the fury of Pardew, Clive Penton waved
play on.
But six minutes later Hughes headed home the winner.
Graeme Murty's pinpoint ball from the right wing found Hughes who rose
confidently and cushioned the ball into the back of the net with a superb header
from 10 yards.
David Johnson was brought into the attack as Forest went in search of an
equaliser.
But Johnson made little impact on proceedings as Reading defended stoutly and
saw out the remaining 16 minutes with relative ease.
Teams
Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Shorey, Mackie (Newman 29),
Williams, Chadwick (Salako 84), Brown, Hughes, Harper,
Little (Henderson 45), Forster.
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Cureton.
Booked: Mackie, Shorey.
Goals: Hughes 74.
Nottm Forest: Ward, Louis-Jean, Brennan, Dawson, Thompson,
Bopp, Scimeca, Reid, Jess (Johnson 76), Harewood,
Huckerby (Lester 85).
Subs Not Used: Roche, Walker, Doig.
Booked: Scimeca.
Att: 21,612
Ref: C Penton (Sussex).
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