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Last gasp winner earns Royals the points

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Substitute Jem Karacan scored in the ninth minute of injury time as the Royals snatched all three points against Burnley at Turf Moor. A serious injury to Reading midfielder Jay Tabb led to the extended time at the end, from which the visitors profited.

Brian McDermott named an unchanged line up from their goal less draw against Middlesbrough two weeks ago, while Burnley had three former Royals in their line-up. Marvin Bartley and Charlie Austin were academy product released at a young age compared to Amougou, formerly known as Bikey, who signed for the Clarets two years ago.

The visitors were beaten in three before the game and started the game solidly by keeping possession of the ball with the wide men looking lively; however the best chance of the opening exchanges fell for the hosts Burnley.

England U21 striker Jay Rodriguez did well out wide and put the ball on a plate for former Royal Chair Austin who uncharacteristically missed the opportunity. This chance encouraged the fans and the team, increasing the tempo of the game.

The Royals then had a half chance as good work between Le Fondre and Robson-Kanu led to the Welsh player almost getting through but was snuffled out by the Clarets defence. The hosts also came close on 20 minutes as long-range specialist Ross Wallace drilled an arrow form the edge of the box that just went over Federici`s goal.

Then was to come on the game`s most controversial decisions as a mistake from Burnley goalkeeper Lee Grant led to Le Fondre profiting and dinking the ball over the keeper but the linesman had called an offside from Robson-Kanu`s pass.

The game fizzled out towards half time, with a Amougou header the only decent opportunity for both sides. Reading were forced into making a change at the break with captain Jobi McAnuff picking up a knock on his ankle, which saw the entrance of Noel Hunt in his place.

The second half started in similar fashion with the Royals starting well with a successional of corners but the best chance falling to Eddie Howe`s side. The two former Reading academy products Bartley and Austin combined with the midfielder forcing Adam Federici into a smart save.

Reading responded well with a chance of their own as good work down the left hand side allowed Mills time and space to swing his cross in with Le Fondre not connecting with the header well and going straight into the hands of the grateful Lee Grant.

Royals midfielder Jay Tabb was then involved in an incident which led to the former Coventry man being stretchered off. Tabb closed the ball down but in doing so, Grant smashing the ball into his head which left him unconscious for several minutes.

The game continued minutes later with Karacan coming on in place of the brave midfielder. Chances were then to come thick and fast as Hunt drifted in from out wide to connect with a header that just went inches wide of Grant`s goal.

With 10 minutes to go, Brian McDermott brought on striker Mathieu Manset and he had a great chance to win the points, seconds after coming on. The Ivorian forward darted towards the box and just fired his effort wide of the Burnley post.

Le Fondre didn`t have the luck with his disallowed goal and it was set to continue as he has brought down by former Royals defender Amougou but the referee Phil Gibbs waved away his protests, with television replays seemingly portraying otherwise.

The match officials decided to add on nine minutes of added time and in the ninth was when the Royals struck to steal the points. Robson-Kanu`s ball caused havoc in the Burnley box with Noel Hunt going for it but lurking was substitute Jem Karacan who pounced on the opportunity to bring the three points home to Berkshire.

Burnley: Grant, Edgar, Tripper, Amougou, Easton, Bartley, McCann, Stanislas, Wallace, Rodriguez, Austin

Subs: Stewart, Mee, Marney, Treacy, Hines

Reading: Federici, Cummings, Pearce, Gorkss, Mills, McAnuff, Leigertwood, Tabb, Robson-Kanu, Church, Le Fondre

Subs: McCarthy, Harte, Karacan, Hunt, Manset

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