This was another massive win for the Royals that pushed us up to fourth in the table, jumping above Nottingham Forest and closing in on Sheffield United who both didn't play today. We're back into our highest position of the season and deep in the play-off positions with just fifteen games remaining. This was Reading's third straight win as we continue to make up for the poor run that took place during December and January. Our perfect February 2003 so far sees us another big step closer to taking part in those end of season play-offs where anything can happen. It's no longer so far fetched to consider that we have a shot at getting into the Premiership this season.

Once again this was a well controlled Reading victory. Despite plenty of resistance from the opposition Reading emerged victorious against Mark McGhee's Millwall with a determined solid performance to grind out another vital three points. Millwall enjoyed some of the best spells of the game but lacked the edge against an impressive Reading side that looked that bit more organised and capable of taking the win. Hughes made a return to the starting eleven, in place of Ricky Newman, and came back with an excellent performance in the centre of midfield for the Royals alongside Manchester United loanee Luck Chadwick and Steve Sidwell. Once again Reading opted for Nicky Forster as the loan striker - and attempted to soak up some pressure and let Forster do enough up front to put Reading ahead - and that's exactly how the game went, according to Alan Pardew's master plan.

Right from the kick-off the game jumped into life with Millwall enjoying the better start. Within a minute they got in two decent shots needing Marcus Hahnemann to make a save to prevent Reading from conceeding an early goal. As a sign of what was to come though, Reading were straight down the other end with Nicky Forster getting in an early attempt on goal as Reading went on the counter attack. Reading didn't have a massive number of chances during the first half as Forster spent a lot of the game stranded by himself up front waiting for an opportunity from a ball pumped forward. After a slightly nervous start it was Reading that could have taken the lead when Williams could have put us ahead from a James Harper corner. However there was plenty of action down the other end as Millwall kept up a bit of pressure without forcing Hahnemann into many saves. They carved out some good openings but failed to find the target putting a couple of shots wide and over the bar from close range. Hahnemann did need to make a save from a Millwall free-kick from just outside the area after Williams conceeded.

After soaking up the Milwall attack and holding firm Reading enjoyed a much better end to the first half as they replaced Milwall as the more dangerous side. The Millwall goalkeeper had to be in good form to make a double save to keep Reading out after a powerful Brown free-kick was saved and Forster nearly managed to put the rebound into the back of the net. Just before the break Millwall looked set to go ahead when they beat the Reading off-side trap and the ball was crossed into the middle. Unfortunately for the home side the cut-back went behind a whole load of Millwall players who had charged forward looking to finish it off. The mistake allowed Reading to suddenly break with the home side all pushed forward and looking for the goal. Chadwick played it quickly out to Hughes who took it forward before slicing it through to Forster with the Milwall defence still attempting to get back from the other end of the pitch. Forster made no mistake with his shot which beat the keeper and completed the break-away with the goal to put Reading 1-0 up at half-time.

The second half seemed to follow a similar pattern to the first half. After a slightly quieter start it was Millwall again who started to enjoy the most of the game as they went on the hunt for the equaliser. Despite creating some good chances they struggled to beat the Reading defence as Reading played a tight game with plenty behind the ball and a full midfield to leave Millwall with limited opportunities to play the ball forward. Reading limited Millwall's options and were quick to close down any serious danger. The home side did manage a couple of decent crosses but no-one was there to complete the job. When they did manage a shot Hahnemann saved with ease.

Down the other end the Millwall goalkeeper started to look a bit shakey as Reading shrugged off Millwall's attempt to get back into the game and went on the counter attakc yet again. Forster continued to cause problems and got in another decent shot needing a save before he was replaced late on in the game by Nathan Tyson. An earlier subsitution saw Henderson replace the clearly talented Luke Chadwick. Henderson will be delighted with his fifteen minute contribution to the game which saw him seal the Reading win with an excellent solo goal on 83 minutes. Henderson's goal was from well outside the area and flew into the top corner giving the goalkeeper no chance to make the save and made it 2-0 to the Royals to complete another superb victory.