A rugged game which looked likely to end in a goalless draw was transformed
when Birmingham were reduced to nine men.
Replacement referee Paul Rejer sent Birmingham's 25-goal striker Paul Furlong
off after a violent tackle on Reading skipper Phil Parkinson.
Furlong had been booked as early as the fourth minute after a clash which left
Reading defender Gareth Davies clutching his face.
Four minutes after Furlong's departure midfielder Chris Marsden was also shown
the red card for his tackle on Steve Swales.
It wasn't long before nine-man Birmingham were in deep trouble as Reading
scored twice and it was former Blues player Jason Bowen who had a hand in both
goals.
In the 74th minute Bowen swung over a right-wing cross which Reading
substitute Lee Hodges gleefully volleyed into the top of the net.
And seven minutes from time Reading's leading scorer Carl Asaba headed home
Bowen's corner for his 11th goal of the season.
It was the first time in the last eight meetings at Elm Park that Reading had
managed to beat Birmingham.
Defeat also brought an end to Birmingham's 11-match unbeaten run which began
after defeat against West Brom way back in November last year.
The win brought welcome relief to Reading manager Terry Bullivant, still
smarting from a 4-1 midweek defeat at Bradford City.
But Bullivant will be the first to agree that referee Rejer was the most
influential man on the pitch.
Teams:
Reading: Hammond, Booty, Swales, Bernal, Davies, Parkinson,
Bowen, Houghton, Morley (Lovell 86), Asaba, Williams (Hodges 64).
Subs Not Used: Thorp.
Goals: Hodges 74, Asaba 83.
Birmingham: Bennett, Bass, Grainger, Bruce (Holland 80), Ablett,
Marsden, McCarthy, Robinson, Furlong, Hughes (Johnson 52),
Forster (Ndlovu 77).
Sent Off: Marsden (69), Furlong (66).
Booked: Bruce, Ablett, Furlong.
Att: 10,315
Ref: P Rejer (Tipton).
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