Reading earned a famous victory at Bristol City on Tuesday night, coming from two goals down to claim victory in the final 20 minutes, thanks to an injury time goal from striker Mathieu Manset.
Brian McDermott named an unchanged Reading side from the 1-1 draw at Coventry on Saturday, with Malian winger Jimmy Kebe still absent. Jem Karacan also came back into the squad from a two-game absence, following Brian Howard`s loan move to Millwall.
Bristol City started the better out of the two sides and had the ball in the net in the opening minutes but Albert Adomah was rightly called offside by the linesman. It was a scrappy opening 20 minutes to the game, with chances a rare, but the deadlock was broken on 25 minutes.
Robin`s defender Lewin Nyatanga played a precise through ball for winger Albert Adomah who showed good strength and chipped confidently over the on-rushing Adam Federici to give Keith Millen`s side the lead.
The Royals responded well, with striker Adam Le Fondre having a snap shot saved by former England international David James. The Royals defence looked shaky the entire half and Bristol City found themselves through again, this time Nicky Maynard advanced but his curling effort clipped the bar within Federici beaten all ends up.
Adam Le Fondre was the only bright spark in the Reading side that were lucky not to go into the break two goals down, as former Royals target Jamal Campbell-Ryce cut inside and hit a rasping shot to bring the best out of Adam Federici.
McDermott`s team came out in the second half looking lively. Simon Church broke the offside trap but 41-year old David James came rushing out of his goal too beat him to the ball and clear the danger.
However, Bristol City went up the other end and Maynard again found himself through on goal but his lofted effort was well cleared by Shaun Cummings after a lapse in concentration from Alex Pearce. Reading then had their best chance of the game minutes later as Simon Church`s header looked destined to go in, but Ryan McGivern was there to hack it off the line.
This gave the Royals the much needed lift in the game that saw no real attacking intent in the first half. McAnuff then put in a decent ball which Le Fondre connected with but was under pressure and fired wired but Reading would soon regret not making the most of this domination.
Albert Adomah proved to be problem all night for the Royals defence and was instrumental in the Robins second goal, as he put an inviting ball across the box, which Brett Pitman truly obliged and tapped in to double Bristol City`s lead.
Instead of getting themselves back into the game, Reading appeared to be going into self-destruct as minutes after scoring their second, City almost added another as Ryan McGivern`s long range effort was tipped away fantastically by Federici. The Australian international was pulled into action again, this time to deny goalscorer Adomah`s goalbound effort.
Keith Millen`s men continued to pressure and were inches away from a third on 65 minutes with Federici this time helpless, as Brett Pitman hit the bar with a fine effort. Reading looked baffled and had no response. Maynard came close again after spinning on the edge of the box but Federici was again equal to the forwards effort.
However, despite Bristol`s domination, Reading got themselves back into the game through captain Jobi McAnuff, who slammed home after Jay Tabb`s cross caused problems in Bristol`s box. This goal was to prove crucial as minutes later, the Royals revival was complete.
Substitute Hal Robson-Kanu got the ball and took a shot at David James which he duely spilled into the path of Adam Le Fondre who accepted the gift and scored his second goal for the Royals to put them level at Ashton Gate on 75 minutes.
The goals did not end there as Reading completed a famous win as substitute Mathieu Manset was the hero at Ashton Gate, as his audacious back heel secured the three points for the Royals, coming from two down and to seal an amazing victory.
Bristol City: James, Carey, Wilson, Nyatanga, McGivern, Adomah, Elliot, Kilkenny, Campbell-Ryce, Pitman, Maynard
Subs: Gerken, Spence, Taylor, Bolasie, Stead
Reading: Federici, Cummings, Pearce, Gorkss, Mills, Hunt, Leigertwood, Tabb, McAnuff ©, Church, Le Fondre
Subs: McCarthy, Gunnarsson, Karacan, Robson-Kanu, Manset
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