Town's play-off hopes were given a huge boost by a 3-1 win at home to Reading. With Wolves drawing 0-0 against Stoke, Town are now two points off Forest and three behind David Jones' side. The Blues' goals came from Thomas Gaardsøe, Matt Holland and Jim Magilton with Reading's via Nicky Forster.

Joe Royle left Darren Bent on the bench with Pablo Couñago joining Marcus Bent in attack. Chris Makin returned on the left of a four-man defence with Richard Naylor continuing alongside Thomas Gaardsøe at centre-half.

The game was only 30 seconds old when the Blues went ahead. Martijn Reuser sent in a freekick from deep on the right and Thomas Gaardsøe rose ahead of Reading keeper Marcus Hahnemann to head home.

It was just the start the Blues needed but Reading soon showed why they are so high in the First Division table. The Berkshire side began to take control of the midfield and quickly played the ball forward to their fast frontmen.

In the 12th minute Andy Marshall was in action for the first time, saving Nicky Shorey's freekick from the edge of the area after Richard Naylor had been penalised for a foul on Nicky Forster.

Soon after a Forster flick played in Andy Hughes down the right, putting him in the clear. Hughes beat Andy Marshall with his shot but watched as the ball clipped the top of the bar before ending up in the North Stand.

Town's offside trap was being breached time and time again in the opening stages and on 14 Forster, who scored a hat-trick in the game between the two sides at the Madejski Stadium, outpaced Richard Naylor to a ball over the top and was one-on-one with Andy Marshall. The Town keeper stood up well and blocked the striker's effort.

But the deserved equaliser came only a minute later. This time Hughes beat the offside trap down the right before sending in a low ball for Forster. Marshall again did well to save but couldn't hold on and the Reading striker stabbed the ball into the net.

Not long after the goal Forster hit a shot into the side-netting before Marshall saved well to his right when Nathan Tyson hit a shot form the edge of the area.

If Reading had had the better of the game after the Town goal, the Blues had the best of it after the Royals had scored theirs. On 28 Martijn Reuser, playing nearer to his best than at any time previously this season, was played in on the left inside the area and appeared to be tripped by Graeme Murty as he beat him. It looked a very strong call for a penalty but referee Clive Wilkes waved the protests away.

Soon after Reuser should have scored when a brilliant reverse pass from Couñago wrong-footed the Reading defence and put the Dutchman in the clear. He seemed certain to score with only Hahnemann to beat but stuck his shot wide of the post.

However, on 31, the Blues were to go back in front. Magilton played a freekick 40 yards out to skipper Matt Holland and the Irish international took one touch before lashing a looping, swirling shot into the net leaving Hahnemann rooted to the ground still lining up his wall.

Holland's delight at his goal was as visible as his annoyance at the earlier Reading equaliser had been, the goal very similar to the one he scored against Wolves a few weeks back.

Town were having much the best of it by now and the earlier defensive problems seemed to have been solved. In the 35th minute Pablo Couñago, once again looking a fine player when at home, hit a 25-yarder which Hahnemann did well to save to his left.

Town made no changes at the break and the second half started out being played mainly in the midfield with far fewer chances than in the first period.

The major incident of the half occurred in the 56th minute. Martijn Reuser had been penalised for a foul on the Town right just inside the Blues' half. The ball ran to Thomas Gaardsøe more centrally and the Dane played the ball back into the Reading half. This clearly incensed Adrian Viveash who launched himself into the Town defender, his assault leaving the former AaB Aalborg man on the floor.

A number of players ran in to remonstrate with Viveash, who had spent much of the game wearing a bandage wrapped round his head after an early collision, and the referee and his linesmen restored order. Once things calmed down referee Wilkes showed Viveash a straight red card. The Reading defender seemed disinclined to leave the field and spent some while arguing before slowly making his way to the tunnel.

Up to the red card the Portman Road atmosphere had gradually been building with the ‘Big Fat Joe' chant having continued for the majority of the second half. The sending off spurred on Town and three minutes later they could have had a penalty.

Jim Magilton sent in a kick from the right which appeared to strike sub John Salako on the hand. Referee Clive Wilkes, stood behind the Reading player, ruled it had struck his chest while his linesman, facing the Royals man, immediately flagged for a spot-kick. Despite protests from Town players Wilkes failed to change his mind.

On 66 Thomas Gaardsøe picked up a yellow card for a foul on Nicky Forster inside the centre circle Wilkes indicating the caution was for a number of fouls rather than just that particular challenge.

The Blues spent much of the time after the red card playing keep-ball and attempting to score elaborate goals. On 70 the third finally came when Magilton brought the ball forward down the right after receiving it from Fabian Wilnis. The Dutchman, in top form at present, continued his run and received a pass five yards outside the area.

He took on a number of Reading defenders, bringing the ball into the area where he was tackled, the challenge sending the ball outside the box where Magilton finished precisely for only his second goal of the season. As the players lined-up for the centre Darren Bent replaced Pablo Couñago.

The game was now won and Town continued to enjoy large periods of possession despite the away side never giving up. On 85 Marcus Bent headed a Magilton corner over the bar.

As the game entered injury time a well-worked corner saw Magilton hit his kick to Reuser deep and the ex-Ajax man's shot was saved by Hahneman. Town's final effort came from Marcus Bent, his 25-yarder stopped by the keeper.

An important three points against one of the better sides to visit Portman Road this season. Despite the early Town goal there were some worries in the opening 20 minutes or so as the Town offside trap looked fragile with Forster and Hughes both looking dangerous.

As the game wore on the Blues gradually took control with Matt Holland's goal and Adrian Viveash's senseless red card giving Town important boosts. Magilton's winning goal came at the right time and there could have been more in the latter stages.

Town know they have to win games and hope others slip up if they are to make the play-offs. At the moment the Blues are keeping to their side of the bargain while Wolves are starting to show the kind of jitters which cost them promotion last season.

Photo: Action Images

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