Champions Reading are on course to eclipse Sunderland's record points total of 105 in the second tier after a 5-2 win against Cardiff at Ninian Park.

The Royals have now scored more than a century of league goals with James Harper (twice), Dave Kitson and Kevin Doyle on target this time, with Glenn Loovens' own-goal completing the rout.

Midfielder Harper stole the show, scoring in the 10th and 90th minutes. Cameron Jerome and Paul Parry were on target for Cardiff but they were mere consolation goals and their prospects of reaching the play-offs now look increasingly remote.

The Bluebirds were boosted by the appearance of Jason Koumas in the starting line-up after the midfielder had been doubtful with a hip injury.

Defender Loovens and striker Steven Thompson also started after recovering from hamstring injuries while Wales international Parry was named on the bench following his long-term absence with a knee injury.

Apart from John Oster replacing injured winger Glen Little, Royals boss Steve Coppell fulfilled his promise of naming his strongest possible side.

Reading were quickly into their stride and took the lead in the 10th minute when Harper struck for his sixth league goal, diverting Bobby Convey's left-wing cross past helpless goalkeeper Neil Alexander.

Cardiff replied positively and came close to equalising in the 16th minute - only for Jerome to miss the target when in a good position.

Koumas was influential in midfield and his outswinging corner found Loovens, whose thunderous shot was blocked by a brave Ivar Ingimarsson in the Reading defence.

The Bluebirds continued to dominate but missed further chances to level with Kevin Cooper and Joe Ledley off-target.

Cardiff were to rue their profligacy as the Royals doubled their advantage in the 39th minute thanks to Kitson's 16th league goal.

The veteran striker left-footed Nicky Shorey's cross past Alexander to put Reading on course for their 28th league win.

Reading started the second half ominously and held siege in the Cardiff half for the first five minutes.

Kevin Doyle's goalbound header was blocked by Darren Purse while Steve Sidwell also tested the home defence with a 30-yard effort.

Reading finally made the pressure count as Loovens connected with Bobby Convey's cross to beat Alexander and give the visitors a 3-0 lead in the 52nd minute.

Bluebirds boss Dave Jones made the first substitution of the match when Parry replaced Kevin Cooper in the 64th minute.

And the change brought dividends for the Bluebirds as Jerome made it 3-1 in the 67th minute.

The prodigious striker calmly controlled Koumas' cross and neatly struck from inside the box for his 18th league goal.

Substitute Parry then headed past goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann to score with 10 minutes remaining to set up a grandstand finish.

But Reading showed their class, sealing the three points thanks to Doyle's 87th-minute header, before Harper rounded off the success in injury-time with his second goal of the game.

Teams

Cardiff Alexander, Ardley, Purse, Loovens, Scimeca, Koumas,Boland, Ledley, Cooper (Parry 65), Thompson, Jerome.

Subs Not Used: Barker, Whitley, Cox, Ndumbu-Nsungu.

Booked: Purse.

Goals: Jerome 67, Parry 80.

Reading Hahnemann, Murty, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey,Oster (Gunnarsson 89), Sidwell, Harper, Convey (Hunt 75),Kitson (Long 68), Doyle.

Subs Not Used: Stack, Makin.

Goals: Harper 10, Kitson 39, Loovens 52 og, Doyle 87, Harper 90.

Att: 11,866

Ref: A Leake (Lancashire).