Former face sinks Royals

Former Reading striker Dave Kitson came back to haunt his former club to condemn them to their first loss of the season, while he earnt Portsmouth their first win of the season.

Pompey had the best of the opening exchanges as Luke Varney broke down the left but Bongani Khumalo cut the ball out well.

The evergreen Ian Harte did almost score in bizarre circumstances as his corner deceived everyone and almost Jamie Ashdown who had to tip it away from goal.

Right back Andy Griffin then went on a surging run down the right, cut inside and struck a left foot effort which Ashdown managed to hold.

It was a very lively opening to the game with former Royal Greg Halford hammering a 20-yard drive against the bar, then second later Reading went up the other end with Kebe`s effort nearly slipping through Ashdown`s grasp.

Former Reading striker Dave Kitson then had a fantastic opportunity to break the deadlock as he broke the Royals` offside trap but Federici was equal to his effort and blocked.

It was then Reading`s turn to hit the post as Jimmy Kebe crossed for captain Jobi McAnuff who headed against the woodwork as both sides went in at half-time level.

Reading started the half the better but it was the south-coast club that took the lead as Kitson came back to haunt his former club as he fired in after a corner wasn`t cleared by the Reading defence.

Brian McDermott`s side looked shell-shocked by the goal and could have gone further behind as Luke Varney should have done better as he headed wide. Another former Reading player was then called into action as Ashdown pulled off a good save after Hal Robson-Kanu`s flick.

Reading continued to pile on pressure and had a decent penalty shout as Jason Pearce`s arm came out in the area but the referee deemed it not to be a penalty, when on replays the Royals seemed harshly done by.

Steve Cotterill`s side ran out eventual winners to gain their first 3 points of the season while the Royals suffered their first loss.

Reading: Federici, Griffin, Khumalo, Pearce, Harte, Kebe, Karacan, Leigertwood, McAnuff, Hunt, Manset

Subs: McCarthy, Gunnarsson, Tabb, Howard, Robson-Kanu

Portsmouth: Ashdown, Ben Haim, Halford, Mokoena, Pearce, Lawrence, Norris, Mullins, Varney, Kitson, Kanu

Subs: Henderson, Rocha, Ward, Williams, Benjani

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