Reading striker Shane Long kept the Royals in the hunt for automatic promotion from the Coca-Cola Championship as two second-half headers pushed Norwich closer to the drop.

Long wasted the best chance of a tense first half but made no mistake after the break to score twice and set up a final-day thriller with Birmingham next Sunday.

Reading's hopes of claiming a top-two spot were revived by Birmingham's late defeat at home to Preston on Saturday and the teams will meet at the Madejski Stadium with both in the hunt for a return to the Barclays Premier League at the first attempt.

Norwich, however, are staring at a season in the third tier for the first time in 49 years and go into the final day three points behind Barnsley in the final relegation place - albeit with a superior goal difference.

Bryan Gunn's side's problems this season were perhaps best illustrated by the fact Reading striker Leroy Lita remains their top scorer more than four months after he ended his loan spell in Norfolk.

Lita has spent the season in Berkshire as fourth or even fifth-choice striker and it was one of those ahead of him in the queue, Long, who was the outstanding player at Carrow Road.

The Canaries controlled the early play but almost fell behind when goalkeeper David Marshall took an age to clear a backpass and saw his kick charged down by the alert Long.

The City defence cleared the danger though and Darel Russell had the first effort on target at the other end with a powerful drive which thudded into Marcus Hahnemann's chest.

Long then should have scored after Jimmy Kebe broke clear down the left but he was also guilty of hesitating and Jason Shackell blocked his shot.

Alan Gow came within a foot of finding the top corner for Norwich in the opening minutes of the second period before Stephen Hunt twice caused panic with great delivery from the left.

The home side escaped on each occasion however and Steve Coppell turned to his Czech Republic international Marek Matejovsky as he looked for a breakthrough.

Matejovsky replaced Kalifa Cisse in midfield but it was Long who continued to look a threat and it was he who fired over from an acute angle.

And it was the Republic of Ireland international who finally found the breakthrough with 21 minutes left.

Kebe found space on the left and after a stepover took him past Jon Otsemobor he delivered a teasing cross to the back post where Long was unmarked to head home from a matter of three yards.

The goal took the wind out of the Canaries and the duo combined again for the second goal in the 79th minute.

A throw found Kebe on the touchline and he was afforded the time to turn on to his right foot and find Long inside the six-yard box where the striker again headed past Marshall.

There was no way back for the home side and Reading's win will also be celebrated by Nottingham Forest and Plymouth, who are both now certain of a place in the Coca-Cola Championship for next season.

Teams:

Norwich Marshall, Otsemobor, Shackell (Leijer 79), Doherty,Bertrand, Gow, Clingan, Russell, Carney (Daley 74), Lee,McDonald.

Subs Not Used: Nelson, Cureton, Lappin.

Booked: Lee.

Reading Hahnemann, Rosenior, Bikey, Duberry, Harding,Cisse (Matejovsky 62), Karacan, Kebe, Little (Stephen Hunt 41),Kitson (Pearce 89), Long.

Subs Not Used: Federici, Doyle.

Booked: Rosenior, Cisse, Matejovsky.

Goals: Long 68, 78.

Att: 25,041

Ref: Clive Oliver (Northumberland).