Royals score late on to keep up Play-Off charge

COCA COLA CHAMPIONSHIP

MATCH REPORT

Reading managed to overcome struggling Nottingham Forest at the Madejski Stadium thanks to a second half strike from James Harper. The Royals created plenty of openings but struggled to find a goal until Harper popped up with quarter of an hour remaining to consolidate Reading's place in the Play-Offs.

Surprisingly Steve Coppell chose against starting Les Ferdinand after Ferdinand had previously made a big impact in Reading's last two games. James Harper was again placed on the right hand side of midfield where the player struggled to make an impact last Saturday at Sunderland. Ivar Ingimarsson was also dropped and replaced with the experience of Martin Keown.

Reading controlled much of the game but found the going tough with Forest set up to be hard to beat and counter attacking whenever possible. The strategy certainly worked for much of the game. Reading's best opportunities tended to come down the flanks. A Graeme Murty run and cross found Sidwell but his shot flew just past Paul Gerrard's post. Then from a Nicky Shorey corner Keown rose highest but his header was superbly saved by Gerrard.

Forest's best opening of the opening 45 minutes came from a free kick on the edge of Reading's box. Paul Evans stepped up and his effort flew just over Hahnemann's bar.

Half Time: Reading 0:0 Nottingham Forest

Reading continued to dominate in the second half. Nicky Forster was unlucky with strike which went straight down the keepers throat. Reading were then forced into a substitution when Ricky Newman sustained a head injury, the injury however is not thought to be serious and Newman should be fine for the visit to Cardiff City next Saturday. Glen Little came on to take his place.

Reading were struggling to create any sustained pressure on the Forest goal and Steve Coppell was clearly not happy with what he was seeing and so Les Ferdinand was introduced with Paul Brooker making way. Brooker could feel more then hard done by as the winger was looking one of Reading's most dangerous players. It resulted in a change of formation with Ferdinand spearheading a three man forward line as Reading looked to find the breakthrough.

And the change made an instant impact as Paul Gerrard was adjudged to have handled outside his box after a poor header back from his defender Andy Melville. After the referee finally made up his mind to award Reading a free kick he was left with no choice but to show Gerrard the red card. Second choice keeper, Colin Doyle came on with attack minded Kris Commons coming off. Gary Megson was obviously happy just to take away a point as Forest's season hung in the balance.

After the resulting free kick was blocked, Graeme Murty whipped in a cross from the wing which was knocked down by Ferdinand and after the ball hit the arm of a Forest defender the ball fell kindly for James Harper to make no mistake and leave Colin Doyle with no chance. The relief was clear to see from the fan and players alike. Forest supporters knew it was all or nothing as they looked to somehow avoid the dreaded drop.

Forest certainly made it hard graph for Reading in the final ten minutes as The Royals became edgy. Though Forest failed to create an real chances apart from a long range free kick which was straight at Hahnemann. But Reading did hang on and recorded back to back wins and consolidate their Play-Off place after West Ham could only draw earlier in the day and Sheffield United lost on Friday night. Though for Forest it is becoming desperate stuff.

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Full Time: Reading 1:0 Nottingham Forest

Man Of The Match: Graeme Murty

Defended well when needed and got forward with plenty of attacking runs. Also played a part in the only goal.

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NEXT LEAGUE MATCH

23rd April 2005, Ninian Park, 3:00 PM Kick Off

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