Reading booked their place in the First Division play-offs with victory over Grimsby.

Needing only a point to guarantee a top-six finish, the hosts did the damage in the first half with on-loan Glen Little and Andy Hughes grabbing the goals.

Grimsby went into the game without striker Michael Boulding who was sidelined with an ankle injury but with their status for next season already confirmed, boss Paul Groves chose to blood several youngsters, Jake Sagere and Graham Hockless starting up front.

Reading were buoyed by the inclusion of defender Steve Brown who shook off a dead leg while Steve Sidwell had to settle for a place on the bench on his return to the squad.

Veteran John Solako was recalled to start out wide and almost from the kick-off he was involved as the hosts raced into an early lead.

With just a minute and a half gone the former Crystal Palace man burst clear to fire in a low cross and with defenders scrambling back, Little arrived unmarked to thunder home at the back post.

That seemed to set the tone and five minutes later Reading threatened again when Hughes hit a fierce drive just over the crossbar.

But having been denied once, the lively midfielder did not have long to wait for a second opportunity as he put the Royals further ahead after 21 minutes.

With Grimsby backing off, on-loan Manchester United midfielder Luke Chadwick was the architect with a clever ball in behind the defence.

And having beat the offside trap, Hughes made no mistake with a clinical finish inside the post.

The home side continued to press and six minutes later Graeme Murty almost added a third with a stinging drive.

But it was Nicky Forster who came closest to extending the advantage with a six-yard snapshot just before the break that Danny Coyne somehow managed to tip around the post.

Grimsby looked a sorry sight as they trudged off at half-time without having registered a single shot on target.

No doubt with a few choice words from the manager ringing in their ears, the visitors came out with more purpose at the start of the second half and after 54 minutes Stuart Campbell tested Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann for the first time with a long-range piledriver.

But it was not long before the Royals were back in charge as first Darius Henderson and then Chadwick fired close.

On the hour mark, Grimsby's cause suffered a blow when Greg Young was injured challenging Henderson and had to be replaced by Steve Chettle.

And eight minutes later Chettle had to be alert to hack clear Salako's dangerous cross with Little ready to pounce.

With time running out, Grimsby stepped up the pace in a bid to find a way back into the game and in the final minute they gained their reward for an improved second-half display when Michael Keane drilled home after Terry Cooke's shot cannoned off the woodwork.

But in the end it mattered little as Reading took their foot off the gas and held on for victory.

Teams:

Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Williams (Newman 8), Brown, Shorey, Salako, Little (Cureton 69), Harper, Hughes, Chadwick, Forster (Henderson 46).

Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Sidwell.

Goals: Little 2, Hughes 22.

Grimsby: Coyne, McDermott, Santos, Young (Chettle 63), Gallimore, Campbell, Bolder, Cooke, Keane, Hockless (Thompson 56), Sagere (Mansaram 56).

Subs Not Used: Allaway, Parker.

Booked: Keane, Campbell.

Goals: Keane 90.

Att: 20,273

Ref: G Hegley (Hertfordshire).