Bikey 2 B’ham 1

Two goals from the legend that is Stefan André Bikey gave Reading a huge boost in their fight for survival.

In a game that could have gone either way, Reading got the win thanks to two Bikey headers from set pieces.

The Royals took the lead after half an hour, when an excellent delivery from John Oster was glanced in by the impressive Bikey.

Reading looked comfortable throughout the first half and certainly looked the most likely to win it.

Birmingham were a different prospect in the second half and began to enjoy more of the ball. The Blues grabbed an equaliser through the excellent Mauro Zarate, after some poor defending allowed Mikael Forssell to put it on a plate for the Argentine.

Birmingham could well have gone in front minutes later when Forssell beat the offside trap, only to be denied by an excellent save from Marcus Hahnemann.

Reading regained their composure and went back in front, this time Shorey was the provider as Bikey headed the ball home.

The Royals saw out the rest of the game without really being troubled, and Shane Long could have wrapped the game up for Reading but he was unable to find a way past Maik Taylor.