Reading 1 Derby 0

Reading 1 (Doyle 63)
Derby 0

Stephen Hunt spurned a glorious opportunity to put Reading ahead early in the game after Kevin Doyle back heeled to Dave Kitson who passed to Stephen Hunt, although this was more out of fortune than anything else as he lost control of it, but Stephen Hunt blasted over.

From a Kevin Doyle cross Stephen Hunt had another chance not long after, and a chance to redeem himself but once again he put wide, this time with a header.

It would be Kevin Doyle that had the next chance as determined play from Liam Rosenior saw him get in a cross but Kevin Doyle could only head over, as another chance slipped by.

A threat from an unlikely source from Derby came from Andy Griffin, his strong run from the back ended in an effort that went just wide of Marcus Hahnemann’s goal.

The first of two penalty shouts came about after Stephen Bywater sliced a clearance away for a corner. This corner came in and Graeme Murty appealed for a handball but this was not given then he shot wide, next to appeal for another handball was Dave Kitson, but again nothing was given.

Trying to clear the danger as Derby attacked Michael Duberry could only head to Matthew Oakley just outside of the area but his good effort was wide.

Finally one of the chances that Reading had was taken as Kevin Doyle headed Graeme Murty’s cross into the far corner with a brilliantly taken goal.

Derby pressed for an equaliser but Reading held firm for a much-needed win as Robert Earnshaw’s effort proved the last that Derby had. A good run from Kenny Miller enabled Robert Earnshaw, on as a substitute, to shot on the turn but this went wide.

Reading: Hahnemann; Murty (c), Shorey, Duberry, Ingimarsson; Gunnarsson, Harper, Rosenior (Oster 59), Hunt; Doyle, Kitson
Subs: Federici, Bikey, Fae, Lita
Booked: Ingimarsson

Derby: Bywater, Griffin (Earnshaw 74), McEveley, Davis, Leacock; Feilhaber (Lewis 65), Mears, Pearson; Howard (Barnes 65), Miller
Subs: Price, Todd
Booked: Davis