Royals poor run ends with victory

Reading ended their baron run of five straight losses with a 2-0 victory over bottom side Doncaster Rovers, thanks to goals from Simon Church and Adam Le Fondre at the basement battle at the Madejski Stadium.

With Royals boss Brian McDermott still unsure of his strongest line-up, he made four changes-bringing in Cummings, Tabb, Hunt and Church at the expense of Griffin, Manset, Le Fondre and most notably Jem Karacan who was excluded from the final 16.

The Royals failed to get a shot on target in their last game against Watford but it didn`t take long to amend that in this game as a mazy run from Simon Church allowed him to cross for Kebe, whose header was saved smartly by Neil Sullivan.

Doncaster got more into the game as the half went on but didn`t create an clear cut chances but the best chance of the first half well to the Welsh international Church as he beat the offside trap from McAnuff`s ball but his finish was weak and was saved easily by Sullivan.

Midfielder Mikele Leigertwood then had a half chance as he shrugged off Donny defender Shelton Martis but he dragged his low shot wide of Sullivan`s goal. The Royals then suffered a blow as influential winger Jimmy Kebe picked up a knock, forcing him off which paved the way for Adam Le Fondre to come on with Hunt going out wide.

Church continued to be lively as from McAnuff`s 25-yard effort Sullivan spilled but the 41-year old managed to claw the effort away before Church could make contact. Church then had a half chance as again he broke Donny`s offside trap but Friend managed to get back and block his effort.

At the half-time interval Reading boss Brian McDermott would probably have been the happier of the two managers and he certainly was on 52 minutes as his team took the lead. A long ball up from defence was challenged by Le Fondre and Sullivan, only for the keeper to spill it into the path of Simon Church to slot home from 6 yards and give the home fans something to shout about.

Reading were now firmly in the ascendancy as good work from Church again gave a great chance for Joseph Mills but his effort was saved and fell to the feet of Noel Hunt but the Irishman somehow blasted over from 5 yards out.

The constant pressure since the first goal led to the second for the Royals on 59 minutes. A well worked move found its way to left back Joe Mills who swept in a perfect cross which was met precisely by new signing Adam Le Fondre to head home and to score his first goal for the club.

The response from Doncaster was minimal with a James Coppinger`s 25-yard effort the only thing worrying Adam Federici`s goal. Noel Hunt tried to make emends for his miss as he almost scored a carbon copy of Le Fondre`s goal, only to see his header saved.

Doncaster started to come into the game in the last 20 minutes but did not trouble Adam Federici until the 85th minute when a Coppinger drive hit the post. Reading saw out the game to end their baron run as Doncaster are still looking for their first league win since March.

Reading: Federici, Cummings, Pearce, Gorkss, Mills, Kebe (Le Fondre 42), Leigertwood, Tabb, McAnuff ©, Hunt, Church

Subs: McCarthy, Gunnarsson, Howard, Manset, Le Fondre

Doncaster: Sullivan, Spurr, Friend (c), Martis, O'Connor, Gillette, Bennett, Oster, Barnes, Coppinger, Hayter

Subs: Woods, Hird, Wilson, Stock, Lalkovic

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