Reading 2 Wigan 1

Reading 2 (Kitson 29, Harper 89)
Wigan 1 (M. Bent 50)

On what could prove a turning point in Reading’s season Victory was achieved in the dying moments over Wigan to hand Reading a crucial three points.

Liam Rosenior had the games opening chance as a Kevin Doyle flick on from a long ball up field allowed the new signing in beyond the Wigan defence by Chris Kirkland denied him with a good save.

Another chance came and went when Andreas Granqvist cleared Dave Kitson’s header from a Nicky Shorey corner off the line.

Reading finally did take the lead when a Kevin Doyle effort was poorly dealt with by Chris Kirkland and Dave Kitson was on hand to tuck home the rebound.

Wigan looked like having a penalty as a surging Jason Koumas run was ended as he was fouled right on the edge of the area, after pointing to the spot the referee consulted with his linesman before awarding a free kick. Koumas took the free kick, and crashed against the bar.

Wigan were level just after the break though when Marcus Bent powered home a header from an early second half corner, Bent was then denied a second by Marcus Hahnemann.

Bobby Convey, who had come on as a substitute then flashed a drive across the face of the box, which just evaded the outstretched boot of Dave Kitson.

Looking as thought he might score again, Marcus Bent got away from the defence, only to be denied by a brilliant saving challenge from Michael Duberry.

Wigan could have had a penalty when Julius Aghahowa ran through, and then rounded Marcus Hahnemann, who caught him, but instead of going down he kept going then the chance fizzled out.

The defining moment of this match, and maybe one of Reading’s season came in the last minute as Dave Kitson’s cleverly disguised ball to James Harper saw him finish to win the match, and deep in injury time Kevin Doyle should have added another when he got in behind the defence, only to be denied again by Chris Kirkland.

Reading: Hahnemann; Murty (c), Shorey, Duberry, Ingimarsson; Gunnarsson, Harper, Rosenior (Convey 63), Hunt, Doyle (Bikey 90), Kitson
Subs: Federici, Fae, Long

Wigan: Kirkland; Melchiot (c), Kilbane, Bramble, Granqvist; Brown, Skoko, Scharner, Koumas; Bent, Sibierski (Aghahowa 79)
Subs: Pollitt, Boyce, Olembe, Cotterill