Brady goal sinks Royals again

A controversial 65th minute winner from Robbie Brady was enough to see Hull jump above Reading in the nPower Championship table, after a scrappy victory at the Madejski Stadium.

Brian McDermott made one enforced change from the fine 2-1 victory at Watford, with Michail Antonio being promoted to the starting XI as Jimmy Kebe was struggling from a persistent knee injury.

The Royals, buoyed from a potential takeover deal, started the game well. Winger Michail Antonio was keen to prove a point with his first start for the Royals in over a year and his early cross met Church`s head but his flick wasn`t good enough to beat Mannone.

Hull first decent effort of the half came on 14 minutes as Robbie Brady tested Adam Federici with a 35-yard drive, which the Australian international palmed over the bar. Jem Karacan then broke minutes later from the eventual corner but could not find Church quick enough.

Set pieces look like the home side`s most likely source of a goal throughout the game. Firstly, Ian Harte swung in a dangerous free kick from the right which Gorkss somehow put over at the back post. Then minutes later from a Harte corner, Pearce had an effort blocked on the line.

The half eventually fizzled out in the last 15 minutes, with Antonio looking a constant threat on the right. In the second period, Hull started to find a rhythm in their game for the first team in the match.

However, the first and possibly best chance of the game fell to Shaun Cummings as after good run from Antonio, his cross was blocked into the path of Cummings 15 yards out but could only blaze way over the Hull goal.

Then a good break down the left by Robson-Kanu led to what appeared a great chance for Hunt to nod home but Tigers defender Chester just nicked it off his head. Although, despite Reading`s pressure, it was the visitors who took the lead at the Madejski.

Hull boss Nicky Barmby decided to change to 4-4-2 on 60 minutes and it paid dividends as good work between McLean and Fryatt, provided a big gap for Robbie Brady to run through and slot home cooly, despite the claims of offside from the Reading bench and the fans.

The goal took the life out of the home side, struggling for chances and lacking some creative spark. The only half chance came to Noel hunt with 10 minutes to go but couldn`t generate enough power on it to trouble Mannone. The Tigers saw the game out to end the Royals recent unbeaten home record which stretched to November.

Reading: Federici, Cummings, pearce, Gorkss, Harte, Antonio, Karacan, Tabb, Robson-Kanu, Church, Hunt

Subs: Andersen, Gunnarsson, Mills, D`Ath, Le Fondre

Hull: Mannone, Rosenior, Chester, Hobbs, Dawson, Evans, Koren, McKenna, Stewart, McLean, Brady

Subs: Carson, Cooper, Dudgeon, King, Fryatt