Dave Kitson's first-half strike ensured Reading helped themselves to a second 1-0 win over struggling Stoke in the space of a month.

Kitson broke the deadlock midway through the opening period and always looked like picking up a victory which closes the gap on Coca-Cola Championship leaders Wigan to five points.

Manager Tony Pulis tried to address the Potters' recent goalscoring problems by selecting all four of his strikers.

In truth, Carl Asaba and Chris Greenacre, who was employed on the flanks, caught the eye more for defensive work in their own half rather than their attacking efforts, while Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann looked unbeatable when City did get forward.

The visitors did start on the offensive with skipper Clive Clarke drilling a shot just wide from the edge of the area inside the first minute. Darel Russell also forced a fine save from Hahnemann, who was so impressive in the Royals' 1-0 win at the Britannia Stadium last month.

Clarke's corner later found Gifton Noel-Williams, but the former Watford man failed to trouble the American goalkeeper.

Steve Coppell's side also had their chances in the early stages but Dean Morgan and Steve Sidwell both missed the target from distance, although the best early chance fell to Lloyd Owusu, who failed to connect properly with the goal at his mercy.

But the home side finally took the lead midway through the opening period thanks to some poor Stoke defending.

Morgan broke down the right and his low cross was allowed to run across the six-yard box to the far post where Kitson was perfectly placed to claim his 11th goal of the season.

Just before the half hour, Morgan could have created more problems but shot well over when Owusu and Kitson were better placed.

At the other end Greenacre fed former Reading man Asaba, who was thwarted by a wonderful finger-tip save from Hahnemann.

The Potters failed to create the chances that might have got them back into the match and it was Reading wholooked more likely to add to their lead immediately after the break.

Ade Akinbiyi dragged a shot wide for the visitors but Nicky Shorey, whose magnificent free-kick proved decisive in the two side's last meeting, drilled an effort just over Ed de Goey's goal from 25 yards, while the veteran Dutchman also had to make another good save from Morgan.

That was one of de Goey's last acts of the afternoon and he limped off to be replaced by Steve Simonsen with 25 minutes remaining.

When Stoke did create chances, they found they simply could not get past Hahnemann, who again proved his worth with a fine stop from John Halls and later tipped Noel-Williams' shot around the post.

Simonsen pulled off a superb reaction save from Paul Brooker as Reading threatened put gloss on the result in injury-time but there was never any doubt about the eventual outcome.

Teams

Reading Hahnemann, Murty, Shorey, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Morgan (Brooker 70), Sidwell, Harper, Little, Kitson, Owusu.

Subs Not Used: Young, Convey, Savage, Newman.

Booked: Sidwell.

Goals: Kitson 23.

Stoke de Goey (Simonsen 67), Halls, Clarke, Duberry, Thomas, Russell, Brammer, Asaba (Neal 84), Greenacre, Noel-Williams, Akinbiyi.

Subs Not Used: Henry, Denny, Dickinson.

Booked: Russell, Greenacre.

Att: 14,831

Ref: G Laws (Tyne & Wear).