Two Dave Kitson goals settled a scrappy encounter as Reading stretched their lead at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship.

Kitson took his tally for the season to 17 with two close-range efforts in the second half.

A raking throw from captain Graeme Murty - back in the side after missing the cup tie against West Brom with a back complaint - found Bobby Convey, and the USA international crossed for Kitson who clinically slotted past Marton Fulop after 46 minutes.

The second goal came courtesy of good work from Stephen Hunt, who got to the by-line and cut the ball back for Kitson to tap home from six yards.

The goals stretched Reading's lead at the top of the table to eight points and extended their club record run to 28 league games undefeated.

The Sky Blues, 2-1 winners at the Madejski Stadium for the last three seasons, started brightly and laid siege to the Reading goal with a wave of early attacks.

The pace of Stern John caused the Royals centre-back pairing of Ibrahima Sonko and Brynjar Gunnarsson problems in the opening stages, and Micky Adams' men almost took the lead in the second minute.

Gary McSheffrey delivered an inswinging ball to the near post from a corner, and veteran defender Richard Shaw was denied his first goal of the season by a brave defensive header from James Harper.

Coventry continued to cause the league leaders problems and went close again five minutes later when McSheffrey's free-kick found John inside the box - but his header was straight at Marcus Hahnemann in the home goal.

It took Steve Coppell's hosts 16 minutes to register their first effort on goal when leading scorer Kitson did not cause Fulop too many problems with his right-footed drive from the edge of the area.

Reading began to gain a foothold in the game, and Kevin Doyle might have done better than curl his shot wide of the post from 12 yards out.

Coventry still looked dangerous on the break, and McSheffrey fashed a low shot narrowly wide mid-way through the first half.

Set-pieces had caused Reading problems earlier in the game, and the Royals were almost caught out again on the half-hour when Michael Doyle's free-kick found Andrew Whing who headed over the bar.

Glen Little and Nicky Shorey forced Fulop into saves before the break with free-kicks.

But there was nothing Fulop could do to prevent Reading taking the lead just 38 seconds after the restart.

Convey crossed from the left, and Kitson arrived in the box to provide the finishing touch from close range.

Buoyed by taking the lead, Reading went in search of more goals - and Convey twice went close from the edge of the box.

But Coventry refused to lie down, and Marcus Hall volleyed McSheffrey's cross against the bar as Adams' men searched for an equaliser.

In the end, though, Kitson put the game beyond doubt with 12 minutes remaining.

Teams:

Reading Hahnemann, Murty, Shorey, Sonko, Gunnarsson, Little, Kitson, Harper, Ingimarsson, Convey (Hunt 71), Doyle (Lita 87).

Subs Not Used: Stack, Oster, Makin.

Booked: Murty.

Goals: Kitson 46, 78.

Coventry Fulop, Whing (Hutchison 59), Hall, Williams, Duffy (Impey 81), Doyle, McSheffrey, Scowcroft, Jorgensen (Adebola 74), John, Shaw.

Subs Not Used: Ince, Morrell.

Booked: Williams, Shaw.

Att: 22,813

Ref: T Bates (Staffordshire).