A dramatic climax to a match, which Reading should have wrapped up by half time, was provided by a stoppage time penalty converted by the ever-reliable Harvey Knibbs, giving Reading the three points they deserved in a lively and entertaining match, slightly marred by some abysmal refereeing.

Playing with greater urgency and commitment Reading had their opponents on the back foot from the kick off. Wareham set the tone for the afternoon in the first minute, holding off a couple of strong challenges to release Wing on the right who was immediately fouled. The free kick produced a chance for Ehibhatiomhan who fired wide. A minute later Wing squared a pass outside the box to Savage strike first time. Phillips reacted well to push his attempt over the bar at full stretch.

Reading pressure finally produced the opening goal. Ehibhatiomhan took advantage of space outside the box to hit the post from twenty yards. Wareham pounced on the rebound and saw his shot parried by Phillips leaving Knibbs with a simple tap in. Reading, now rampart, threatened to open up the United defence every time they attacked. An absolutely brilliant, improvised touch with outside of his foot by Craig found Wing accelerating into the box who, with without breaking stride, received the pass and smacked a low shot which remarkably came back of the inside of the post past a stunned Phillips.

Shortly before the interval Wareham appeared to be felled in the box, but referee Parsons having enraged both sets of fans with some simply appalling decisions, waved play on. Rotherham's best opportunity fell to Nombe who lifted the ball over the bar when it appeared easier to put it in the net. Even so they could consider themselves lucky to reach half time only trailing by a single goal.

Rotherham came out fighting in the second half and with the help of some poor decisions from Mr Parsons were able to pt the Royals defence under pressure. United got back into the game when Wareham for some reason lunged at Sibley with his arms above his head to prevent a strike on goal and conceded a penalty. Nombe converted the spot kick and took great delight in taunting Pereira.

Both teams went looking for a winning goal which certainly looked on the cards and chances came and were spurned with alarming regularity. Camara had a shot saved and Savage followed up only see his attempt deflected wide. The atmosphere was highly charged and ramped up even more by more inept interventions by the man in black. On one occasion Ehibhatiomhan was prevented from pursuing the ball by United player who was blatantly hanging on to his arm in full view of the officials. Noel Hunt also became a victim of Mr Parson for an outraged rant after Clarke Harris slid into Garcia and was awarded a free kick! Amidst the chaos, Reading played some outstanding football passing through midfield with a confidence bordering on a swagger. The quality of touch and timing and weight of some the passing was a joy a to watch. Garcia, Bindon, Savage, Wing, Knibbs and Criag in particular, raised their game. Rotherham's physical superiority counted for nothing in the face of some of their play.

There was always a nagging doubt Reading might concede a late goal, and Pereiera was forced into a good save, but to the relief of their fans Knibbs won and converted the penalty in stoppage time. Justice had been served.

John Wells