Out-of-favour front-man Nicky Forster earned the gratitude of manager Steve
Coppell by firing promotion-chasing Reading back into the top six.
There might have been nothing too convincing about Forster's close-range
finish, but it proved enough to beat sorry Brighton at the Withdean Stadium and
saw the Royals leapfrog Sheffield United and land firmly in the play-off picture
once again.
After almost three months in the doldrums, Reading boss Steve Coppell may
argue his team are finding form at just the right time.
He will also know they will have to perform much better over the remaining
seven games if Reading owner John Madejski is to fulfil his dream of seeing the
Berkshire outfit play in the Premiership.
For Brighton boss Mark McGhee, it was another bad night.
At least the Seagulls kept the score down after conceding 11 goals in their
last three games, but it is difficult to see where their next win is coming
from.
And there must also be a major doubt over Mark McCammon's ability to see out
the season after the striker dramatically collapsed, complaining of dizziness,
as the interval whistle blew.
To say the opening period was a disappointment would have been an
understatement in the extreme.
As former managers of the opposition, rival bosses Mark McGhee and Steve
Coppell had extra incentive for victory, but neither appeared able to instil the
self-belief required to overcome confidence-sapping recent form.
Brighton were making an unsuccessful attempt to avoid a fourth successive
defeat, a run that has sucked them perilously close to the relegation zone, and
a swift return from whence they came 12 months ago.
Reading, meanwhile, had previously managed just a single league win since
Boxing Day.
That they should still find themselves with a chance of promotion is
extraordinary, let alone that they should be in the play-off zone, but such is
the inconsistency among the sides battling for sixth spot, that is exactly where
they are.
Reading did have an early penalty shout turned down when 16-goal striker Dave
Kitson crashed to the ground as he attempted to round Rami Shaaban.
Referee Kevin Friend waved away the appeal to only muted argument but TV
replays indicated the Brighton goalkeeper had only made contact with Kitson and
the spot-kick should have been awarded.
Without actually having a shot to save, Shaaban was the busier of the two
'keepers as he was forced to deal with Reading's aerial bombardment.
Given the general lack of inventiveness, it was no surprise the best chance of
the half came as a result of a blunder.
Normally the most solid of goalkeepers, Marcus Hahnemann completely mis-hit an
intended punt downfield, presenting McCammon with a clear sight of goal on the
edge of the area.
But the striker's finish lacked power and he merely rolled his shot straight
back to a grateful Hahnemann, who collected with ease.
It proved to be the unfortunate forward's last meaningful contribution to a
game which thankfully got better after the re-start.
Guy Butters should have put the hosts in front but sent a tame header straight
at Hahnemann.
At the other end, Shaaban got away with blasting a clearance straight at
Sidwell and escaped a second time when he met Andy Hughes' long-range drive with
an unconvincing punch.
His luck ran out soon afterwards though as Forster, barely five minutes after
leaving the bench, got on the end of Little's deep cross and bundled the ball
home with his chest after Shaaban had stopped his initial weak header.
Reading largely managed to keep the hosts at arms length after that, although
they were indebted to Hahnemann, who produced a superb flying save to deny Adam
Virgo late on.
Teams
Brighton Shaaban, Reid, Hinshelwood (Hammond 24), Butters,
Harding, Hart, Oatway, Virgo, Mayo (Jones 56), Knight,
McCammon (McPhee 45).
Subs Not Used: Watson, May.
Booked: Butters.
Reading Hahnemann, Murty, Ingimarsson, Sonko, Shorey, Little,
Newman, Sidwell, Hughes, Kitson, Morgan (Forster 59).
Subs Not Used: Keown, Harper, Brooker, Young.
Booked: Newman.
Goals: Forster 64.
Att: 6,108
Ref: K Friend (Leicestershire).
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