Town climbed back into the top six and extended their extraordinary record of Tuesday night home victories to 16 as an 89th minute Brett Pitman goal saw them to a 2-1 victory over Reading. After a lacklustre first half Ryan Fraser put the Blues in front on 57, Royals sub Garath McCleary equalised from the spot before Pitman’s late winner.

Boss Mick McCarthy made three changes to his side, two of them forced. Bartosz Bialkowski took over from the injured Dean Gerken in goal, while Luke Hyam replaced Jonathan Douglas, who started a three-game ban for his red card at Birmingham.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles came in for Kevin Bru, who dropped to the bench, in a switch to 4-4-2 with Freddie Sears moving up front with Daryl Murphy.

Keeper Jonathan Henly was on the Blues bench for the first time against the club where he came through the academy before being released last summer.

Central defender Piotr Malarczyk was available after serving his one-match ban and was in the 20-man squad but was left out of the 18 in favour of Paul Digby.

For Reading, who wore an unusual all mauve kit, Yann Kermorgant, a Town target during his time with Bournemouth, made his full debut."
The game made a very quiet start with the only incident of note in the opening 10 minutes Kermorgant requiring treatment after a clash of heads.

On 11 Ryan Fraser whipped in a corner from the left which Ali Al-Habsi in the Reading goal was forced to punch away from under his crossbar at the near post.

Four minutes later, Royals skipper Oliver Norwood wasted a freekick - won when Stephen Quinn rather obviously ran straight into Town skipper Luke Chambers - in a promising position on the left, hitting a low shot well wide of the near post with his team-mates waiting in the box.

Jordan Obita got his name in referee Tim Robinson’s book in the 19th minute for a foul on Hyam down the right as the Blues started to get on top. Maitland-Niles whipped in a dangerous freekick, then Fraser’s corner from the left was headed away from inside the six-yard box by Jake Cooper.

The Blues continued have the better of what had been a largely drab game played in a pre-season type atmosphere. On 24 Al-Habsi failed to deal with a low Daryl Murphy cross from the right and Chris Gunter somewhat uncomfortably cleared.

On 24, following a Town corner, Reading broke quickly through Hal Robson-Kanu on the right but Hyam got a heel to his low cross as he looked to find Quinn at the far post.

Two minutes later the Blues threatened when Hyam fed Maitland-Niles but the England U19 international’s well-struck shot was blocked by Anton Ferdinand. The on-loan Arsenal youngster was by now playing in the advanced central midfield role with the Blues having switched to their 4-3-3 system with Sears back out on the right.

As the game approached the half-hour mark Matej Vydra was sent away between Tommy Smith and Christophe Berra but the New Zealand international did enough to send him away from goal. The Czech did well to find Robson-Kanu but the Wales international was crowded out.

Two minutes later, Murphy surrendered possession to Vydra inside the Town half but the visitors were unable to work themselves a clear-cut shot at goal.

Fraser smashed a long distance effort across the face of goal on 34 and then, with Reading now on top, Vydra hit a low 25-yard effort which Bialkowski claimed comfortably.

Sears broke away down the right in the 44th minute and found Fraser who took a difficult ball down deftly before hitting a shot which Al-Habsi blocked. After the corner, Smith scuffed a volley wide off Sears.

In injury time Norwood was booked for tripping Fraser as he broke towards the area after Jonas Knudsen had won the ball. From the freekick, Murphy and then Chambers headed the ball goalwards but the linesman’s flag was raised for offside and referee Robinson immediately blew his whistle for half-time.

Town had had the better of a not overly entertaining half with Al-Habsi the busier of the two keepers, albeit without having made too many serious saves.

The Blues had got on top after a very slow start to the game, then Reading had a short spell in which Vydra in particular had been a threat, but Town had ended the half looking the more dangerous side.

Bru took over from Maitland-Niles ahead of the second half, slipping into his regular role ahead of Skuse and Hyam.

The Blues were the first to threaten three minutes after the restart when Reading failed to deal with a ball in from the left. Chambers crossed back from the right and Hyam scuffed over when he probably should have left the ball for Skuse.

Reading created an opening on 56 when Kermorgant escaped down the right and sent over a cross for Vydra, who turned his shot against Smith.

But a minute later, Town claimed the lead. Sears burst away down the right before cutting the ball back behind Fraser, who spun on to his left foot and hit a low shot which struck Cooper, hit the inside of the post and crossed the line behind Al-Habsi.

Having grabbed their first goal, Fraser’s sixth of his season-long from AFC Bournemouth, the Blues went looking for their second, Murphy shooting into the Sir Bobby Robson Stand, then Sears going closer with a low 25-yard strike which deflected into the side-netting off Cooper. On 65 Berra was booked for a foul on Kermorgant

Smith powerfully headed a Bru corner straight at Al-Habsi on 66. The Royals immediately broke two on one and should have got back on terms but sub Garath McCleary crossed against Skuse when he should comfortably have found the unmarked Vydra.

However, after Kermorgant had headed powerfully straight at Bialkowski, Skuse went from hero to zero by conceding a penalty from which the visitors equalised.

Robson-Kanu was harmlessly taking the ball across the area away to the right when the Blues’ midfielder slid in and somewhat needlessly brought him down.

Referee Robinson pointed to the spot and there were only muted appeals from Skuse and his team-mates. McCleary lashed the penalty down the middle of the goal past Bialkowski.

Town went about restoring their lead and on 72 Bru sent a shot not too far over Al-Habsi’s crossbar.

Six minutes later, after a long spell of Town possession, Knudsen smashed a low shot from distance which Al-Habsi claimed. Brett Pitman replaced the tiring Hyam on 82.

Reading were looking the more dangerous side in the final 10 minutes but on 84 a loose ball following a corner fell to Berra, who scrambled an effort towards goal which reached Pitman, whose effort was well saved by Al-Habsi down to his left, however, the linesman’s flag had been raised.

Luke Varney replaced Murphy on 87 and two minutes later Varney created the winner for fellow sub Pitman.

The former Leeds man chased a Fraser long ball down the left, took a touch and sent over an inch-perfect pass for on-rushing Pitman, who diverted the ball past Al-Habsi, off the keeper’s right post and in to seal another late, late Town home victory, just as he did against Leeds last month.

Town saw out injury time comfortably - Norwood’s deflected shot into Bialkowski’s arms was the visitors’ best chance - and Portman Road’s lowest league crowd of the season of 16,616 erupted with a mixture of delight and relief at the final whistle.

Having gone in front the Blues probably should have sealed the three points at that stage but as so often at home this season they allowed the visitors back into the game and then gifted the penalty via Skuse’s uncharacteristically rash tackle.

But, as ever, Town kept going right to the whistle and, despite Reading having looked the more likely winners for spells, subs Varney and Pitman carved out the late winning goal for the third time in the last four home league games.

The Blues’ victory and Sheffield Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at home to Burnley sees Town move back into the final play-off place a point in front of the Owls and Birmingham in seventh and eighth - who meet one another at St Andrew's on Saturday - ahead of the weekend trip to QPR.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Smith, Berra, Knudsen, Maitland-Niles (Bru 46), Skuse, Hyam (Pitman 82), Fraser, Sears, Murphy (Varney 87). Subs: Henly, Foley, Digby, Coke.

Reading: Al-Habsi, Gunter, Obita, Ferdinand, Cooper, Williams, Norwood (c), Quinn (McCleary 61), Robson-Kanu, Vydra, Kermorgant. Subs: Bond, Taylor, Hector, McShane, Piazon, John. Referee: Tim Robinson (West Sussex). Att: 16,616 (Reading 205).

Photo: Action Images

Cakeman added 22:41 - Feb 2 Great win tonight lads. PItman has certainly been a tremendous asset for us. PS: much comment already about 'where are the moaners?' Well I can be one of those at times and will continue to be if necessary. It's all about emotions and opinions. I would also like to give a balanced approach and give praise too as can be seen tonight. Please let us enjoy the win and respect everyone's views as long as they are respectful of others and not offensive.

20

runaround added 22:43 - Feb 2 The last 2.5 weeks in ITFC land have been full of unhappiness & anger so a win is a very welcome little ray of sunshine through the gloom. Whether it proves a turning point or just a brief respite time will tell but anything other than victory tonight & I feel our season would have continued to fall apart. We deserved the win too, Reading, as so many away teams in this league came to frustrate, break up the game, bully the ref & hope to nick a goal with a pacy break. Luckily they didn't get it quite right today & I always find extra pleasure in getting a late winner against teams like that! Brett Super Sub Pitman seems to be our own David Fairclough & just gets in the box at the right time, in contrast to poor old Murphy who could do no right tonight! The subs changed the game for us. Now onto Loftus Road, we never win when I go there & im NOT going Saturday so surely another win!!

18

PJH added 22:45 - Feb 2 Excellent and well deserved win. Everyone contributed but I thought Knudsen particularly good. Great ball by Varney for the winner.
8

warktheline added 22:48 - Feb 2 Keep battling boys, another 3 pts, while others have dropped some! No complaints from me tonight!
6

StochesStotasBlewe added 22:49 - Feb 2 Average game, great 3 points, Fraser is just sheer class, Pitman runs into the spaces no one else anticipates, that is why we won instead of drawing. Red wine time.
14

phillo added 22:53 - Feb 2 markwill45 why did you mark me down ???!!!??
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norfolkbluey added 22:54 - Feb 2 Let's not get too excited! Reading are not a top club and we still seem unable to score many goals. What's happened to our recognized goal scorers? Our only hope of getting promoted is to finish in the top two. The team is not convincing me that it could win in the play offs. Sorry fellow supporters but the last fourteen years have left me somewhat cynical! Having moved to Norfolk eighteen months ago I see no improvement.

3

Granthamblue62 added 22:59 - Feb 2 Credit where its due. A much needed win against one of our 'bogey' teams. I still feel we should have done some business in the transfer window, but for now its a sense of relief for getting back to winning ways.
3

Jimmy86 added 22:59 - Feb 2 Great character shown by the lads once again, they certainly battle until the very end, which is highly commendable. Our outstanding midweek form continues, under the lights. Vital 3 points tonight and puts us back in the top 6. First half was pretty lacklustre and the game certainly needed something in the 2nd half. Thought we improved in 2nd half, with the introduction of Bru, for the ineffective and too often lightweight Maitland-Niles. Penalty was needless and saw Mick going nuts, as it was so unlike Skuse. The 2nd goal was all down to Varney, who made up the ground so well, then had the foresight to pick out Pitman, with a great ball into the box. The football still isn't great and the window was somewhat disappointing, but we're still there or there abouts. COYB

12

prebsa added 23:02 - Feb 2 Really good 3 points tonight. I really didn't think we were at our best we had a handful of good plays but other than that and the goals I really didn't think we threatened too much. However we got the goals and the 3 points so it's enough. Reading really were quite average so I guess that helped with us not being at our best. Without a doubt Fraser is our best outlet and I though Sears did really well running all game. Bru came on and helped with out creativity and really added a bit of a spark to the side. Again I ask the question of what does pitman have to do to start ahead of Murphy? We really can't keep picking murph based on last season and right now I fully believe pitman has to start for us. Great 3 points need to step it up a little to win again at qpr!!! COYB

8

jas0999 added 23:14 - Feb 2 Pleased to win the game as would have been disappointing not to beat a poor Reading side. However the performance was poor. First half boring and dull lacking quality and creativity mainly due to the ineffective Skuse/Hyam partnership. Good half time sub improved things. Better and in the end a possibly deserved win. Remarkable we are sixth but our hard worked paid off. I remain disappointed that we didnt add a couple of quality additions. It shows our lack of ambition when we are in a strong position. Lets hope it doesnt cost us. As Mick states however he cant improve with the budget provided by Evans. Digby and foley demonstrate how low that budget is. We are probably the only promotion chasing team who have a weaker squad after january!

8

RRanger added 23:23 - Feb 2 I don't remember reading anywhere that we didn't pick up any new players in the transfer window because ME wouldn't provide funds for MM.
7

Jimmy86 added 23:24 - Feb 2 Jas0999 I wouldn't be so sure it's all down to Evans. Ian Milne stated during the week that money has been available for signings, but Mick is happy with what he's had. Now if money has actually been available for Mick to spend, but he's chosen not to spend it, that's down to Mick and not Evans
6

GiveusaWave added 23:36 - Feb 2 Great win. Surprised though that I got minus points on the build up when I said I hoped we would win. Bizarre situation when fans don't want us to win games. First half was dry. Not at our best by any degree and lack of creativity was highly evident. Bru coming on made a huge difference and even though he was only on 45 mins he was my MOM. Good runs, created good triangles in the centre and ran into space well. Seemed to read the game well too. Lets hope we don't pick up too many niggles though. Our bench seems a little lacklustre. Foley is an unknown talent but some of the other subs are not Championship quality. Absolutely delighted with the win.

8

essex57 added 23:39 - Feb 2 Not a bad nights work for a club with no ambition and only average players!!!!!! Well done boys ground out another 3 pts in what I thought was a bit prettier in places another good thing will get a earlier night tonight cos we won and there's only 2 pages of comments
1

TimmyH added 00:19 - Feb 3 @essex57 - we're only just scraping games at home, when we really need the results come March/April and the pressure is really on will we still be able to get these late winners?...Other than the Burnley game we haven't beaten anybody of note at PR and relatively few comfortably. It will be a battle between umpteen teams for a couple of the play-off spots. Also be interesting to see if we can keep injury free in the run in...lets hope the lack of transfer/loan activity doesn't cost us.

4

gmanrom added 00:48 - Feb 3 Ian milne may well of said there is money available but Mick has also the money that is available will not improve our side so no point. I would say they have told him he has between 200k-500k to spend and what are you going to get with that in January unless you get lucky with a lad named sears.
2

StowTractorBoy added 01:12 - Feb 3 TimmyH you can add Sheffield Wednesday but to be honest and I don't mean to sound like Mick McCarthy no game is easy in this very competitive league. Tonight was thoroughly frustrating for me as we just have no creativity whatsoever in midfield and I know this drum is banged continuously but oh for a class player that can open up defences. We won tonight but had we not got that winner this board would have been in meltdown but the win which I am absolutely delighted about has covered up our inadequacies. Murphy gave us one of those inept performances and only when Bru was introduced did we look like scoring. Fraser is a breath of fresh air and with Sears were our best players. One thing about this team is that they give it their all and were in the end rewarded with three valuable points. Not out best performance but its all about results and we got the one we wanted.

3

Minneapolis_ITFC added 02:06 - Feb 3 There were two victories on these pages this day - one undisputed, the other maybe less clear cut.. In any event, the score was pleasing to read and keeps us in touch with the other promotion contenders. Winning strike came with a minute to play ? But after the humilation at their venue earlier in the season, it makes it all the more enjoyable. A record number of wins for a Tuesday game also ? Yes it's a pity ALL our fixtures aren't on this one day alone but sure it's nothing more than coincidence. This win not only helps our home statistics for the season, but provides the manager with that little extra room to maneuver away from his say, 'detractors' The Rangers game coming up should be a good event. Looking forward to the end of season and with it, another good chance of being involved in the top six places once more. Take this opportunity to offer congratulations to the players themselves who got us this victory - there's certainly promise in the weeks and months ahead.

5

harlingblue added 03:00 - Feb 3 3 more points from a Tuesday night game, we just love it under the lights. Second half subs grabbed the win, who said our squad was thin? Plenty of endeavour, sometimes agricultural and not clever, but a team with great heart and that's a real start, passing play will ensue with the starting of Pitman and Bru. Night Night I wish you a fine adiue.
5

battyblue added 05:21 - Feb 3 Good win tonight well done to all but dour game again by all accounts and that is the way things will stay with present management so the support will drindle.
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HackneyBlue added 05:43 - Feb 3 PAINFUL
1

sidtheswan added 06:12 - Feb 3 Rubbish 1st half better second half and don't know what Skuse was doing with the penalty as Reading player running away from goal . But we kept going and thought we deserved the victory . Well done lads QPR next .
3

BrettenhamBlue added 06:23 - Feb 3 This was very much a must win game. Very happy with the result and feel QPR is also now a must win game if we are thinking of staying in contention for a top 6 spot. We have a strong first 11 but sadly very weak utility players and I just hope they are not needed between now and the end of the season.
0

BrettenhamBlue added 06:24 - Feb 3 And by very weak I mean Coke not Pittman
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