Le Fondre earns Royals all three points

Brian McDermott made three changes to the line-up that lost miserably to Stevenage, with Karacan, Kebe and Hunt returning from injury to replace the injured captain Jobi McAnuff, Mikele Leigertwood and Adam le Fondre.

The game endured a very slow start with occasional Ian Harte set pieces the only thing to worry a decent looking Watford side. Reading grew into the game with Noel Hunt having a header going narrowly wide from Shaun Cummings` cross.

Mark Yeates then had a free kick from a decent position minutes later but could hardly tested Adam Federici. The visitors continued to slightly edge possession with Jimmy Kebe having the game`s best chance of the opening chances, with a free header at the back post but Lee Hodson did well.

The Royals once again surged forward with good play on the left leading to a cross for Kebe, who had two efforts at Scott Loach, both of which were saved. However, Watford were to then take the lead against the run of play as Troy Deeney beat the offside trap, putting a dangerous ball across with Shaun Cummings could only put into his own goal.

The goal appeared to shake Reading, with several passes going astray. Watford however were in search of a second. A very dangerous Mark Yeates ball in almost led to this if it wasn`t for brave goalkeeping from Adam Federici.

With Watford getting a stranglehold of the game allowed the Royals to prove a force on the break, which proved dividends on 40 minutes as the game was level. Fantastic break away play from Robson-Kanu hung up a great cross at the back post for Jimmy Kebe to easily nod home.

Brian McDermott`s men started the second period in a similar vein in what they ended the first. Robson-Kanu was looking dangerous and got the better of Nyron Nosworthy in the box but couldn`t find a team mate.

Hornets striker Troy Deeney then had a half chance, as Gorkss` poor header landed straight to his feet on the edge of the box. Mark Yeates then had another set piece opportunity, where he was inches away from beating Federici.

The second half failed to create many chances but there for a very crucial decision made on 78 minutes by referee Graham Sailsbury, as he dismissed Noel Hunt`s claims for a penalty. However, replays show there was contact from Hodson.

However, the Royals were to take the lead at Vicarage thanks to super sub Adam le Fondre on 85 minutes. A corner on the left was attacked by Kaspars Gorkss and instinctley tapped in by le Fondre from 5 yards out.

The visitors were in search of a third and final goal and it almost came through some neat work from Michail Antonio but his cross was just ahead of Le Fondre. Reading saw the game out for a fine victory and a return to form in their serge up the table.

Watford: Loach, Hodson, Mariappa, Nosworthy, Dickinson, Yeates, Eustace (c), Buaben, Forsyth, Sordell, Deeney

Subs: Bond, Doyley, Jenkins, Gardner, Iwelumo

Reading: Federici, Cummings, Pearce, Gorkss, Harte, Kebe, Karacan, Tabb, Robson-Kanu, Church, Hunt

Subs: Andersen, Mills, Gunnarsson, Antonio, Le Fondre

Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Monaco