Danny Williams netted the game’s third penalty deep in second-half injury time to hand Reading a 2-1 victory over the Blues at the Madejski Stadium, Jonas Knudsen having been adjudged to have hauled down Joey van den Berg at a corner. In first-half injury time Grant Ward had been harshly penalised for handball for the game’s first spotkick, Garath McCleary putting the Royals in front, with Brett Pitman firing home Town’s penalty five minutes after the break having been fouled by Tyler Blackett.

Boss Mick McCarthy named the same team that defeated Preston North End 1-0 before the international break with new signings Tom Lawrence and Leon Best among the subs, along with Conor Grant, back from his groin injury.

Reading started with midfielder Van den Berg, who had a trial with Town in 2006, while John Swift, who spent a similar spell with the Blues in 2014, was on the bench.

The Blues, wearing their Barcelona-style third kit with new maroon shorts and socks, started brightly and Freddie Sears forced Ali Al-Habsi into a save in only the third minute.

Ward picked up a loose ball not far outside the Reading box and looped the ball over a defender. Sears took it into the area and hit a shot which Al-Habsi did well to push into the air.

Bru picked up the loose ball and fed Pitman, playing as the central striker with Ward to his right and Sears to the left, but the midfielder was flagged offside.

Reading began to dominate possession, as is their usual approach under new manager Jaap Stam, and in the eighth minute would have gone in front but for a brilliant Bartosz Bialkowski save.

Tommy Smith stabbed a loose ball back towards Bialkowski from a few yards outside the area but only succeeded in playing in Roy Beerens.

The Dutchman looked to square to Yann Kermorgant but the quickly advancing Bialkowski read it and reacted with superb reflexes to paw the ball out to Christophe Berra, who cleared the danger.

A minute later the Royals threatened again, George Evans heading over from a Beerens cross from the left.

Bialkowski made another important stop in the 26th minute when skipper Luke Chambers cleared the ball against Beerens, who took it across Tommy Smith and hit a shot which the Polish keeper saved across to his left, Berra again clearing.

Referee Jeremy Simpson got his yellow card out for the first time in the 29th minute after Liam Moore had tripped Kevin Bru as the Mauritius international took the ball round him on the outside, not far outside the box. The resultant freekick came to nothing.

The home side continued to have most of the ball but without threatening, aside from a number of balls into the box which the Blues backline and keeper Bialkowski dealt with.

On 36 Evans hit a shot from distance which deflected over, then two minutes later Chris Gunter was yellow-carded for dissent.

In the 41st minute Evans joined him in the book for diving in at Ward and catching him in the back with his knees after the Blues winger had slid in and won the ball. Some referees might have deemed the offence worthy of a straight red card with Evans not needing to make a challenge, the ball had gone, and having gone in high.

The half seemed set to end level but two minutes into injury time the Royals were awarded a spotkick.

The ball was played back to Blackett a couple of yards away from the corner of the box on the left. The former Manchester United defender slammed his cross into Ward’s arm with the winger only a matter of a couple of yards in front of him and referee Simpson pointed straight to the spot.

Although the ball clearly struck Ward’s arm, the former Spurs man would have had no time to react to the cross and it was difficult to see how the referee could have deemed the contact deliberate.

McCleary stepped up and sent Bialkowski the wrong way to send the home side in a goal in front at the break.

Up to the penalty, the Blues will have been happy enough with the half for the most part.

Aside from a couple of chances which came from Town errors, the Royals hadn’t particularly threatened, despite having a very significant share of possession.

At the other end, Town had only very occasionally caused the Reading backline any headaches with Sears’s early opportunity the nearest they had come to a goal.

Five minutes after the restart, the Blues were back on terms via a penalty of their own. Jonathan Douglas initially felt he’d been fouled as the ball came in from the right, then as Knudsen looped it back in from the left Blackett shoved Pitman at the far post.

While Reading fans will presumably have viewed the decision as harshly as Town fans had the earlier spotkick, there was certainly a push by Blackett, who became the fourth Royals player to be booked.

Pitman smashed the penalty down the middle of the goal before celebrating his first goal of the season in front of the Town fans.

Chambers picked up the Blues’ first booking of the evening for a foul on Kermorgant before Ward went close to putting Town in front.

Bru was sent away down the left and cut the ball back to the summer signing from Tottenham, who turned superbly and hit a shot which Al-Habsi did well to keep out.

On 57 Beerens sent over a cross from the left which McCleary headed into the ground and straight at Bialkowski when he ought to have tested the Blues keeper more significantly.

Town had another good chance to go in front right on the hour. Berra nodded down Bru’s corner from the right and the ball fell to Smith, but the New Zealand international sliced the ball over the bar, much to his evident frustration.

The Blues were more in the game as an attacking force in the second half and soon after Smith’s chance Ward wasn’t too far away from finding Pitman with a cross from the right. Knudsen’s subsequent shot flew well wide.

On 67 Sears played Pitman in on the right of the box and the former Bournemouth man hit a low shot which Al-Habsi couldn’t hold and Blackett turned it behind. From the corner, Berra headed over, much to his frustration. While Al-Habsi prepared to take the goalkick Teddy Bishop replaced Bru.

As the game moved into its final quarter of an hour Swift hit a shot from distance which Bialkowski bundled behind.

From the resultant Reading corner Sears broke quickly from deep. The ex-Colchester and West Ham man ought to have fed Pitman but continued to take the ball on and was crowded out.

The ball deflected out to Pitman on the left and his cross flew too deep but as the ball came over Blackett felled Bishop with a stray arm inside the box but referee Simpson missed it.

Town threatened again moments later with Douglas’s header sending Pitman in on goal on the left of the box but Van den Berg made a brilliant challenge to prevent the Town striker getting in a shot.

Royals sub Jordan Obita sent over a dangerous cross from the left in the 84th minute, fellow replacement Stephen Quinn, the brother of ex-Blue Alan, heading over having got in front of Berra.

A minute later Cole Skuse hit a shot through to Al-Habsi from distance and on 86 Luke Varney took over from Ward.

As the match moved into four minutes of injury time Moore nodded down a freekick from the left but Van den Berg was unable to get a final touch and Bialkowski was able to claim. Soon after, Skuse shot well wide for the Blues.

Town looked to have claimed what would have been a deserved draw until Reading were awarded their second penalty of the evening.

As Reading prepared to take a corner on the right there was some pushing and pulling involving Berra and Paul McShane. The Scotland international was eventually booked, as was Van den Berg for intervening.

When the ball finally did come in from the right Van den Berg tried to force his way past Knudsen and went to ground as the Danish international grappled with him.

Referee Simpson pointed to the spot for the third time, probably unsurprisingly given the prior incident. Knudsen was booked for his foul and Skuse for complaining about the decision.

With McCleary having been subbed Williams took the penalty and beat Bialkowski to claim the three points.

Had the game ended in a draw then the Blues would have deserved the point having had the better of the chances in the second half.

The penalty incidents will inevitably be the main talking points with all three of the type which might not have been given on another day by another official with referee Simpson putting in an inconsistent performance throughout.

Town, who are 13th in the Championship, are next in action at Derby County on Tuesday evening.

Reading: Al-Habsi, Gunter, Blackett (Obita 82), Moore, McShane (c), Van den Berg, Evans (Quinn 59), Williams, McCleary (Swift 66), Beerens, Kermorgant. Unused: Jaakkola, Mendes, Harriott, Watson.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Smith, Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Douglas, Bru (Bishop 68), Ward (Varney 86), Sears, Pitman. Unused: Gerken, Webster, Grant, Lawrence, Best. Referee: Jeremy Simpson (Lancashire). Att: 15,146 (Town: 1,070).

Photo: Action Images

iaintaylorx added 22:33 - Sep 9 Surely Mick's time is up. There's a guy called Steve Bruce available at the minute too!
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cromwellblue added 22:33 - Sep 9 What a contrast. One team petrified of the ball and just kick it away. Another so scared to give it away they almost stagnate. Neither are going to challenge. We were awful, Mick has done much for us but it really has come as far as it can. Fresh ideas are needed.
14

Blue_Moses added 22:34 - Sep 9 Has he resigned yet? I've lost patience now, don't think words on here can express how angry/frustrated I am with everything so won't even start commenting on the game.
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jas0999 added 22:36 - Sep 9 Although I don't believe we necessarily deserved to lose, the reality is if after being warned, you rugby tackle your opponent in the penalty area in the final minute, you can have no complaints. Despite any of the possible results, tonight saw two very poor sides playing out a mainly dull championship game. We were abysmal first half. Dull and boring. Negative. Second half better, but certainly nothing like promotion contenders. Too many average players. Douglas and Skuse very negative, offering little. Bru little short of shocking. Sears completely lacking confidence. Varney nowhere near good enough. Chambers not a right back. Knudsen off the pace. Overall this squad isn't good enough. Period. Summer transfer activity not the best and it shows. Six in, ten out. Whether people want to believe the spin, but the decision to sell Murphy without having a replacement lined up was a poor one. We are told Evans tried to bring in a replacement, but to what extent we simply don't know. Anyone can offer a million when the seller wants two. We missed Murphys presence tonight and yet again we are left wondering where the goals will come from. Ward aside, there won't be too many from midfield, nor Sears and Varney. Overall disappointing stuff.

30

Manchesterblue3 added 22:38 - Sep 9 With the new signings having points to prove, ambitious subs would have been a God-send with Reading there for the taking.. However a draw was settled for and we came away with nothing and can't even say we went for it... Destined for the Championship forever!
6

StochesStotasBlewe added 22:38 - Sep 9 Take off our most dangerous attacking player, bring on an old has been in his place. Bloody awful decision Mick, got what you deserved, F all. Actually had a decent looking bench tonight, what a waste.
22

shortmarine1969 added 22:38 - Sep 9 Well MM says he would be pleased with the same performance in the next away game as well...that says it bloody all..same s*** different season..had enough..ME please sell the club you said you always get offers well take one of them,,and take MM with you or nothing will change..sh** football , dwindling crowds , (less income)..poor atmosphere because we are so dire to watch most games...we need some from of change.!!

17

Global_Blue added 22:39 - Sep 9 My caveat to the below is that I watched this on Sky. For those that braved the journey - kudos, you deserved better. It was an appalling game of football. Dull, predictable long ball game made necessary by the lack of any credible midfield ability. Grant Ward was by far out best player - why sub him with someone who wasn't a regular starter last season and who we let go at season close? Our midfield is beyond terrible. Jonathan Douglas is Just.Not.Good.Enough! Period! He ran around a lot and achieved nothing. Skuse is OK, but if you want to progress at all in this league you need much more than just OK from your 'first name on the team sheet' key player. We desperately need real quality and creativity, but we just don't have it... oh, wait, we do have some of it but we just chose to leave it on the bench for this game and play unimaginative and average players instead, imposing a dull and unimpressive style of football that is overly defensive on relies heavily on the 'defend, defend, defend and maybe if the dice fall in the right way and the gods are listening we might grab a flukey winner' strategy. All because 'a point away from home is not bad, eee by gum'. I've been frustrated for ages with MM, but now am fully in the camp that believes he is just not good enough or creative enough to get us out of the division. People will say, and regularly do, that it's because he has no money to spend. I understand those frustrations (and spit and swear at the legacy of Roy Keane every time I hear that excuse) but if MM had any sense of professional pride or self worth he'd say to the owner "back me financially or I'm off". The fact that he doesn't just demonstrates to me that his only interest is to continue with an 'average is OK' mentality and pick up his wages at the end of each month. So bloody annoyed. As for Knudsen he should hang his head in shame. After the melee in the penalty area before that corner there is no way on this planet he should have made a mistake like that. Absolutely unforgivable. Like so many of our players he's not good enough at this level as he proved tonight at the end of the game. A long throw is not enough to warrant a regular place. And the rest: Chambers relied to heavily on the long ball 'get it away from me' style of play, Sears produced nothing beyond a great attempt in the first half and Bru was average. It's hard to criticise Pitman as he was left on his own and did well with the penalty, but it's clear to me we need a quality striker and a quality midfielder if we're even to think of competing for promotion. Thankfully Bart was excellent, again, and I thought Smith and Berra were generally solid in the middle. But subbing Ward for Varney and bringing on Bishop so late in the game was terrible management, and where were Lawrence and Best? Bloody awful.

32

Umros added 22:40 - Sep 9 Barnsley aside with a freak whirlwind hatrick the problem is evident.......you won't win many games by scoring 1 goal with a dodgy defence. Simple.
6

superblue70 added 22:43 - Sep 9 Nothing's ever going to change time to accept it, I bet mm hasn't changed his pants for 20 years. Oh how I long for change,MM OUT , oh and varney on for last 5 mins priceless
9

stevieiriswattii added 22:43 - Sep 9 If we have such little creativity or attacking intent, we are not going to generate any good luck for ourselves, it is simply poor.
8

Elizabeth added 22:43 - Sep 9 This performance was totally inept! With the right formation and choice of personnel this game was there for the taking. Why oh why is the consensus to be contented with a point away from home ? Where did this cxxx come from ? You don't gain promotion or top positions with that philosophy! Additional players have been brought in so where are they ? Same old disjointed sxxx that we are fed up to the back teeth with ! Perhaps this game is a reflection of what's going on in the background of this club .. I feel saddened if this is the case !

19

surgery added 22:43 - Sep 9 The reason why he bought/loaned these players was to appease the fans. He's got no intention of playing them. Just what do his favourites have to not do that will see them replaced? There is something strange going on here
6

multiplescoregasms added 22:44 - Sep 9 Oh dear...............can't be bothered to moan about this awful football.
5

Pip50 added 22:44 - Sep 9 This kind of captures us a a club no real plan or direction. Our best youngsters our "top" purchase our new loans are not in the starting line up. What a mess. Mick please fcuk off and don't brother with an explanation.
4

brittaniaman added 22:44 - Sep 9 more or less the same team as last season, minus Murphy, Yet he gets new blood in and do not give them any minutes on the pitch ???? but he must play his favourites !!!!! TV. syndrome again I am afraid !! so come on McCarthy pick the strongest team for the Derby game on Tues.We must not lose that one as well ????
6

itfchorry added 22:45 - Sep 9 Enough is Enough - Totally and utterly unacceptable performance. No real intention of trying to win the game, save for a bit of luck. Poor Reading Side - with new players and Manager there for the taking. Oh for Andre Dozzell in the middle of the park with Bish and Grant / But no - we have,Slouglas a 34 year old journeyman,Skuse and Bru -A combination of a midfield, that clearly doesn't work. Where has our club gone ?

11

TimmyH added 22:45 - Sep 9 Firstly an undeserved 3 points for Reading but saying that not sure if we deserved to win it either although had the better of the second half chances, particularly the Smith guff. A game of again somewhat contrasting styles with Reading trying to play deck football out to the wings everywhere (in fact laughable when they try to play out of defense) and our style of pushing numbers higher up the pitch but sadly neither style good enough to create decent chances and generally another game of any real quality. Referee probably forced into livening the game up with 2 dubious penalty decisions (either side of half time). Just hope MM doesn't stick too much to this style of harrassing the opposition into forcing mistakes as I fancy we'll see little of the likes of Lawrence, Williams and Grant particularly away from home as he'll see this suits Skuse and Douglas a treat (both whom contributed very little attacking wise tonight) and games with as much interest as watching a box set of 70's panorama! By the way why was Varney brought on instead of Best or Lawrence in the final 10 minutes? mind boggling.

6

Surco72 added 22:47 - Sep 9 A goal difference between the teams but a million miles between style , attitude and future progress . Two weeks without Murphy and the style is exactly the same as are the team selections . Full backs are poor , midfield 3 do not work , Sears is out of position and the whole team relies on one player Ward as we did Fraser last season . Creative players on bench to start and when he makes a sub on comes Varney its laughable . Douglas was actually ok tonight and broke up and did hell of a lot more than the invisible Skuse . The true supporters !!will blame the ref or the pitch or time to gel , whereas I see it that if Bart had not played and Super Gerks had like last year it probably would have been 5 again as we have not progressed in the slightest . As its a result business rather than style MM that's 2 wins in 7 this season

20

Cloddyseedbed added 22:49 - Sep 9 1st two penalties soft. Knudsen's rugby tackle after being warned was idiotic to say the least and cost us the game or was it MM team selection and tactics? Reading were nervous at the back and was clear for all to see, but we just didn't have enough about us to get a result. It's the same old story, hard work and running around will only get you so far and I think we've got as far as we can playing like this. We have 2 full backs that can't defend and Berra is only a gnat's whisker from giving away a penalty every game and getting sent off for his constant grappling with attackers and clumsy tackles. I'm not convinced by our defence at all and wasn't last season. Midfield to me is a shambles, playing Douglas and Skuse makes us pedestrian and Bru I'm sorry does not offer enough in the position he plays. Sears once again is expected to defend like a full back and the times Knudsen is caught out means he spends a lot of time helping out. Attack, what attack, we have an assortment of attackers who can't play together and get little or no support from midfield or any service. This club is not progressing the way it should be with the manager being here as long as he has. A team looks a long way away from being built. New players will they be given a chance over the old favourites, personally I doubt it. After a performance like this, after watching it on sky and Reading having so much said about them, they were terrible too, just where does it leave our team. A manager who still does not know his best 11 and if he does he won't pick them for offending his regulars who I might add are letting the team, club and supporters down, not because they are under performing, it's just that they are not good enough to hold the position down. I felt sorry for Best, Laurence and Ward who the manager had decided had nothing to offer in this game. If refs are going to give penalties for grappling in penalty area's just be consistent please, that way we'll get plenty too.

15

H1960 added 22:50 - Sep 9 Sorry surgery downmarked you by mistake I agree with you entirely
0

H1960 added 22:52 - Sep 9 Giobal blue......Spot on post I need to add nothing more sums it up completely
1

sgtlargent added 22:53 - Sep 9 Iaintaylor 2 hours? Got on this coach at 2.30pm this afternoon and currently stuck in traffic on the way home. Bore me later that you have had to waste two hours of your life watching that. Fantastic fans as per.
0

Spanishblueblood added 22:54 - Sep 9 Wow, just wow!! How on earth Chambers, Knudsen, Slide and Douglas keep their places in the side is beyond me. So poor on the ball and not much better off it! Bish brought on far too late, varney for Ward, as Super Mac would say 'You cannot be serious' MM should hang his head in shame, poor tactics, poor team selection and more worrying, poor view on our pi$$ poor performance. Time for a change (2 seasons too late) and please take your favourites with ya!

14

Bluespeed added 22:57 - Sep 9 Gutted! Yes Mick it did look like the Ref was looking to give them a penalty at the end so I take it that you told the players at half time to bear that in mind? He then took four minutes to talk to our players defending to cut out the holding or we would face the consequences? Ok so you claim to be loyal & honest with your players citing that to be good man management that's fair enough & if I played for you I would accept that ... So now drop Knudsen for 3 games fine him and teach him a lesson , failing to do so condones his stupid actions !

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