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Swansea City climbed up to second in the Championship after Darren Pratley's fifth goal of the season saw off boss Brendan Rodgers' former club Reading. Midfielder Pratley struck on 65 minutes after Reading failed to clear a free kick, and then Angel Rangel's shot. Swansea were kept in the game by goalkeeper Dorus de Vries who was in superb form. The Dutchman pulled off fine saves to deny Alex Pearce, Shane Long and Simon Church. The win takes Swansea to their highest position for 27 years as they climb up into the automatic promotion places for the first time. Reading will be disappointed they did not get something from the game after seeing their eight-match unbeaten run ended. Swansea were the busier of the two sides early on and Andrea Orlandi had an early chance for the home side sending a diving header from Pratley's cross straight into Adam Federici's arms. But then it was Federici's opposite number Dorus de Vries who was the busier of the two keepers. First, he denied Alex Pearce with his legs and later the Dutchman produced a fine point-blank save to keep out Long at the near post.

The Swans, who lost midfielder Orlandi and defender Neil Taylor to injury in quick succession, had to rely on De Vries again after the restart. Simon Church was allowed to creep into space and De Vries had to throw himself at the Wales international to prevent him scoring from six yards. But Swansea grabbed the only goal midway through the second half when Pratley pounced on Rangel's blocked shot to power home after Reading failed to clear a free kick. The lead was slender and it took two diving saves from Swans captain Garry Monk to make blocks from Jimmy Kebe and Hal Robson-Kanu. Church missed a glorious chance to level eight minutes from time when he headed Kebe's cross just over the bar. But as Reading pushed, they were caught on the attack and Sinclair saw a chance saved by Federici saved while sending another wide, and Nathan Dyer had an effort blocked.
BBC Sport