Ross McCormack inspired last year's finalists Cardiff to victory over Reading with a goal and an assist in the FA Cup third round.

Steve Coppell's much-changed side had arguably the better chances before the break, with Bobby Convey missing a couple of decent opportunities.

Their hosts were limited to largely speculative efforts in the first half, with Peter Whittingham and McCormack failing to beat goalkeeper Adam Federici, who scored the dramatic late equaliser when they met on Boxing Day.

But the hosts went ahead through McCormack's header just before the hour mark and the striker then created the chance for Joe Ledley to secure the win eight minutes from time.

Last year's finalists had welcomed leading scorer McCormack back into their attack following a hamstring injury as a replacement for loanee Michael Chopra, who has returned to his parent club Sunderland.

Reading were also boosted by a notable return, with captain Graeme Murty making his first appearance of the season, as Coppell made no fewer than eight changes to the side that drew 1-1 at Southampton on Sunday.

The all-Championship tie got off to a quiet start, with the first effort of the game coming in the 11th minute when Cardiff midfielder Whittingham fired a speculative long-range drive off target.

Convey was presented with a better chance shortly after, but the Reading midfielder struck wide from 12 yards.

The American had the chance to make amends for his miss when Federici saved McCormack's strike, but once again he failed to hit the target after latching on to James Henry's cross.

Following a quiet spell, Whittingham struck successive efforts off target from the edge of the area just before the half-hour mark.

Paul Parry attempted to put the hosts ahead just before the break but his strike was blocked well by Reading defender Andre Bikey.

Cardiff keeper Peter Enckelman was on hand to deny Reading from making a a flying start to the second half as he saved Shane Long's strike.

The Finnish stopper was called into action again five minutes later as he saved Convey's free-kick before Gavin Rae drilled a 25-yard effort wide at the other end.

The visitors went ahead in the 57th minute when Reading's attempts to catch their hosts offside went wrong, leaving Roger Johnson able to set McCormack up to head home his 15th goal of the season from close range.

The Bluebirds could have doubled their lead seven minutes later as Gabor Gyepes latched on to Paul Parry's corner, but Federici was equal to the Hungarian defender's header.

Striker Leroy Lita, making his first appearance back in a Reading shirt following his loan spell at Norwich, was then denied from close range by Bluebirds defender Johnson.

Cardiff secured their place in the fourth round when McCormack turned provider as he slotted Ledley through to double their advantage in the 83rd minute.

Teams

Cardiff Enckelman, McNaughton, Gyepes, Roger Johnson, Kennedy,Whittingham, Rae, Ledley, Parry, Bothroyd (McPhail 74),McCormack.

Subs Not Used: Heaton, Capaldi, Purse, Comminges, Scimeca,

Blake.

Goals: McCormack 57, Ledley 83.

Reading Federici, Murty, Bikey, Pearce, Kelly, Matejovsky,Convey (Church 74), Karacan (Sigurdsson 78), Henry (Kebe 70),Lita, Long.

Subs Not Used: Andersen, Cisse, Robson-Kanu, Golbourne.

Booked: Bikey.

Att: 12,448

Ref: Anthony Taylor (Greater Manchester).