Brian Howard's scruffy goal gave Sheffield United a priceless win at Reading which lifts the Blades into the automatic promotion places in the Coca-Cola Championship for the first time this season.

Howard smuggled in a 60th-minute shot after Matthew Kilgallon had headed against the crossbar as Kevin Blackwell's side deservedly condemned the Royals to another home defeat.

United have now won five games in a row to emerge from the pack and pile the pressure on Birmingham ahead of their visit to bottom side Charlton.

In contrast, Reading look a shadow of the side that were routinely trouncing all-comers at home in the early months of the season and are limping toward a play-off place after looking set for promotion for much of the season.

Reading boss Steve Coppell recalled top scorer Kevin Doyle to the starting line-up alongside Dave Kitson in a bid to end an awful run which has now seen the Royals muster just seven goals in their last 14 games.

Reading's last home win was way back on January 27 and it was the confident visitors who had the first sight of goal when Kyle Naughton's deep cross was headed wide by John-Joe O'Toole.

Greg Halford then thought he had given the visitors the lead but his effort after a blocked O'Toole shot was flagged for offside.

Blades midfielder Howard then marred a fine start by picking up his 10th booking of the season after clattering Chris Armstrong with a stray elbow, picking up a two-game suspension in the process.

Reading defender Michael Duberry then wasted the first half's best chance with a finish befitting a centre-half with just six league goals to his name in nearly 300 appearances.

Marek Matejovsky's corner was cleared back to the Czech Republic midfielder and his second ball in fell kindly for Duberry on the left-hand side of the six-yard box but the former Leeds and Chelsea man wildly slashed his effort high into the stand.

Darius Henderson then capped an all-action display with a challenge on Kalifa Cisse which led to the Reading man being carried off on a motorised cart.

The Mali international was taken to hospital as a precaution and his height was missed when Chris Morgan headed over from a Halford throw at the start of the second period.

Blackwell introduced an extra forward in the form of Craig Beattie as the Blades smelled blood but it was the hosts who came close to opening the scoring in the 58th minute.

Jamie Ward carelessly lost the ball in midfield and after Stephen Hunt had fed Jimmy Kebe his near-post cross was headed against the crossbar by Kitson.

Undeterred, Blackwell's side went forward and took the lead a minute later.

Slick play between Henderson and Halford freed Ward down the right and his deep cross was looped back over Marcus Hahnemann by Kilgallon - only for the ball to hit the crossbar.

However Howard was alert to the rebound and his right-footed drive squirmed off an attempted block from Hunt and dribbled into the bottom corner.

Kitson then immediately went close to an equaliser with a rasping volley from the edge of the area which forced Paddy Kenny into a fine save.

Coppell's side pushed men forward more in desperation than expectation but the visitors held on to claim three huge points which will give their followers genuine belief that they can return to the Premier League.

Teams:

Reading Hahnemann, Kelly, Bikey, Duberry, Armstrong,Kebe (Little 70), Matejovsky (Noel Hunt 78), Cisse (Tabb 43),Stephen Hunt, Doyle, Kitson.

Subs Not Used: Federici, Long.

Booked: Armstrong, Duberry.

Sheff Utd Kenny, Halford, Morgan, Kilgallon, Naysmith,O'Toole (Beattie 55), Montgomery, Howard (Bromby 90), Naughton,Henderson, Ward (Cotterill 82).

Subs Not Used: Lupoli, Hendrie.

Booked: Howard.

Goals: Howard 59.

Att: 20,756

Ref: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).