Royals Set New Points Record

Reading got their hands on the Championship trophy this afternoon and set a new points record for the second tier of English football while they were about it.

Reading beat Sunderland’s record by one point when they reached the 106 mark this afternoon thanks to a late Graeme Murty penalty.

The game started with QPR having the better of the chances early in the game, Furlong went close with a header that went just over the bar while Langley put a free kick from 20 yards out just over as well. Furlong then blasted a shot straight at Hahnemann

At the other end Doyle saw an effort parried by keeper Paul Jones but the ball fell nicely for Nicky Shorey who put the ball wide.

The Royals took the lead five minutes before half time and it was Kitson that did it when Oster brought the ball back from the byline and Kitson couldn’t miss from eight yards out.

QPR changed keepers at half time and the second half started with Santos heading a Langley corner over the bar while Bailey and Cook both tried from distance but failed to test the keeper.

At the other end Jake Cole denied Kitson a second goal when he made a fine save from a sot from the edge of the area

With twenty minutes of the game remaining QPR pulled level when Jones flicked the ball onto Furlong and he beat Hahnemann from twelve yards.

Both sides were now looking for the winning goal and Danny Shittu had a goal chalked off while Hunt forced another great save out of Cole at the other end.

Then the referee judged that Furlong had handled the ball in the area and Murty planted the spot kick to send the crowd wild as they celebrated Reading’s 99th of the season.

And there was soon more celebrations to follow as Murty got his hands on the Championship trophy at last.

Reading: Hahnemann, Murty (c), Shorey, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Harper, Sidwell, Oster (Hunt 61), Convey (Gunnarsson 85), Doyle (Long 85), Kitson

Subs not used: Stack, Makin

QPR: Jones (Cole 45), Bignot, Milanese, Santos, Shittu, Bailey (Jones 68), Donnelly, Langley, Ainsworth, Cook, Furlong

Subs not used: Evatt, Monday, Howell

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