Reading pay the penalty

Reading were to rue two penalty misses as they fell to a surprise 2-1 defeat at the hands of Barnsley, as the Royals still look for their first win at home.

Reading made two changes to their starting line up from Tuesday night`s loss against Portsmouth, with Hal Robson Kanu and Brynjar Gunnarsson coming in for Mathieu Manset and the injured Andy Griffin.

The visitors Barsnley made three changes with Matt Done, Bobby Hassell and Craig Davies coming in for Nathan Doyle, Jim O`Brien and Miles Addison who was injured in the warm up.

The hosts started the better, with McAnuff testing Barsnley keeper Luke Steele early on. Jimmy Kebe then had a half chance as a clever Hunt flick allowed him to turn inside but his shot hit the side netting.

However, against the run of play, it was Keith Hill`s Barnsley that took the lead. A corner was put into the Royals box which they failed to deal with and Foster bulleted a header past Federici to give his team a surprise lead at the Madejski Stadium.

Reading responded well with first an Alex Pearce header was saved by Luke Steele then McAnuff came inside from the left and hit a piledriver that Steel e again managed to push over.

The Reading players went in to a chorus of boos from the home supporters. IN the second half they almost equalised in the opening minutes as dead-ball specialist Ian Harte forced Luke Steele into a great save.

Jimmy Kebe then came close as his effort grazed the bar with Luke Steele a spectator then Kebe almost turned provider as he crossed for Hunt who missed the ball.

Reading continued to pile on the pressure and won themselves a penalty as Jay McEverly hauled down Jimmy Kebe. With usual penalty taker Shane Long no longer at the club, Ian Harte stepped up but Steele saved his spot kick.

However, it didn`t finish there as seconds later Reading were awarded another penalty as Edwards fouled Robson-Kanu this time but the same outcome occurred as Steele made another fantastic save to keep out Hunt`s penalty.

The Royals continued to put on the pressure as an Alex Pearce header looked over the line but the Barnsley defence somehow scrambled it away. Reading were soon to pay for missing these chances as Barnsley doubled their lead as Matt Done beat the Reading offside trap and slotted home.

Reading looked shell shocked with 20 minutes to go but for the third time in the game they were awarded a penalty. This time Hal Robson-Kanu took the responsibility and finally beat Luke Steele, sending him the wrong way to put his team back in the game.

Brian McDermott`s men did not have much left in them after that, instead Barnsley could have settled the game as Craig Davies` effort was saved by Federici then from the resulting corner the Australian international did fantastically well to claw away Gray`s header.

At points during the match, there were several songs aimed towards chairman Sir John Madejski, not that can be repeated but as you can imagine, after the sale of Shane Long, they want some money spent, a view shared by many RFC supporters. Only one man can change that.

Reading: Federici, Gunnarsson (Manset), Khumalo, Pearce, Harte, Kebe, Leigertwood, McAnuff ©, Hunt (Church), HRK

Subs: McCarthy, Morrison, Obita, Church, Manset

Barsnley: Steele, Wiseman, Edwards ©, Foster, McEverly (McNulty), Done, Hassell, Butterfield (O`Brien), Perkins, Haynes (Gray), Davies

Subs: Preece, McNulty, Lovre, O`Brien, Gray