Despite the odds being against them, Reading managed to pick up a 2-1 win against in form Preston to send the Royals four points clear of the drop zone.
Two goals in the first half by Yakou Meite and Mo Barrow were enough to beat a side who had prior to this gone twelve games unbeaten, and give the fans hope that the Berkshire side could survive this season.
Barrow set up Meite for the first goal, and the winger then turned goalscorer as six minutes later he latched onto a poor backpass to double Jose Gomes’ sides lead.
Substitute Jayden Stockley managed to score a late goal in injury time after he reacted the quickest to a shot from Preston striker Sean Maguire that cannoned back off the crossbar, but Reading managed to hang on for those all important three points.
With Wigan drawing, as well as Millwall and Rotherham losing, this result sees the Royals climb to 19th in the table and for the first time in a while, could perhaps allow the club to look up the table rather than over their shoulders. Next is a tough trip to Hull.
Madejski Stadium
Sky Bet Championship
30/03/2019 4:00 pm
Attendance: 16771
Referee: Tony Harrington
| Reading | Preston North End | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meite (30), Barrow (36) | Stockley (90+3) | ||||||
| Martinez | Rudd | ||||||
| Yiadom | Fisher | ||||||
| Moore | Davies | ||||||
| Miazga | Storey | ||||||
| Blackett | Earl | ||||||
| Baker | Pearson | ||||||
| Rinomhota | Johnson | ||||||
| Ejaria (89) | Nmecha (45) | ||||||
| Swift (65) | Gallagher | ||||||
| Barrow (58) | Robinson (45) | ||||||
| Meite | Maguire | ||||||
Substitutes |
|||||||
| McCleary (58) | Barker (45) (58) | ||||||
| McShane (65) | Stockley (45) | ||||||
| Harriott (89) | Moult (58) | ||||||
Game Statistics |
||
| 13 | Goal attempts | 11 |
| 3 | On Target | 2 |
| 1 | Corners | 6 |
| 10 | Fouls | 8 |
| 0 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 37 | % | 63 |