Royals poor as unbeaten run ends

Reading went down 1-0 at the City Ground on Tuesday night as Marcus Tudgay`s 75th minute strike ended the Royals` eight game unbeaten run. The visitors were certainly not at their best, managing just one shot on target all game.

Brian McDermott decided to make one change to the team that drew with Palace on Saturday, with the change coming up front, Mathieu Manset replacing Simon Church. New Forest boss made two changes from his side`s 1-0 defeat to Hull, with Moussi and Findlay replacing Greening and the injured Ishmael Miller.

The opening minutes did not offer much in the variety of quality as both teams taking a very cautious approach, with a wayward Mikele Leigertwood shot the only point of noting. Reading slowly got themselves into the game with Hal Robson-Kanu looking lively.

However, the visitors did have their hearts in their mouths for a few seconds as Forest had the ball in the net, thanks to Findlay but the linesman came to the rescue as he ruled it out for offside. The Royals put together a decent response as McAnuff hit the bar with an effort that appeared to be a cross.

Brian McDermott`s team continued to pass the ball about well, keeping the ball well in midfield with the hosts looking quite nervy and gifting the ball back to Reading on many occasions. The game continued to be scrappy, with way off with an effort from Majewksi from McGugan`s corner.

Forest took belief from this effort as they surged up the pitch again with McGugan but Pearce body checked the midfielder on the edge of the box. However, the resulting free kick hit the Royals wall with questions being asked whether the foul was inside the penalty box.

Steve Cotterill would have been disappointed with his team`s effort in the first half but brought on Andy Reid at half time and looked a different side in the second period. Reid took over set piece duty from McGugan and made an immediate impact as his ball in was spilled by Federici but managed to recover.

The home side continued to press, McGugan had an effort after running at the Reading defence when it may have been better to find Finlay in the middle. Tudgay then had a speculative effort that Adam Federici was equal to.

Tudgay was then to be in the thick of it again as he ran through thanks to a Pearce slip but Gorkss managed to cover with Tudgay firing his shot straight at Federici. Once again Tudgay was involved but this time he was on the score sheet.

Good play between Reid and Chambers, sent the defender down the right who put in a fantastic cross for Marcus Tudgay who swivelled and shot onto the post and into the goal to give his team the lead at the City Ground.

Instead of any Reading response, Forest took general control of the game, passing the ball about well and restring the away side any chances until injury time. Good play from Karacan down the right led to the Turkish midfielder crossing for substitute Noel Hunt but his header was fantastically kept out by Lee Camp, condemning Reading to their first defeat in nine.

Nottingham Forest: Camp, Gunter, Chambers, Morgan, Majewksi, Moussi, McGugan, Lynch, Tudgay, Findlay

Subs: Smith, Moloney, Greening, Reid, Derbyshire

Reading: Federici, Cummings, Pearce, Gorkss, Mills, McAnuff ©, Leigertwood, Karacan, Robson-Kanu, Manset, Le Fondre

Subs: McCarthy, Harte, Kebe, Hunt, Church

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