After the disappointment of last Wednesday's home defeat against Wolves this was just what we needed to bounce straight back. The manner of the win made it even better as James Harper's injury time winner for the Royals sealed the three points and concluded a very entertaining afternoon of football at the Madejski Stadium. This was so much better than Wednesday night and not just the result as Reading worked really hard and never stopped working to attempt to win this game. Crystal Palace also played their part in a good afternoon's display of football but Reading edged it and deserved the win after having the better of a lively second half. There were similarities to last Wednesday's game too though with Reading creating a whole series of chances and having difficulty in finding the back of the net. It looked like once again we'd leave moaning about the missed opportunity to pick up some extra points - but Harper's strike in the second minute of added time sparked huge celebrations and joy about the continued push towards the Premiership as the Royals moved back into third place.

With Williams still missing through injury the centre back pairing of Brown and Mackie started for the Royals. Other than that the line-up was exactly as expected with Forster the loan man up front with Chadwick and Tyson going back the wings and Sidwell, Harper and Hughes in midfield. Once again there was a huge turnabout to see the promotion chasing Royals with Crystal Palace bringing a decent away following. Although the attendance was nearly a couple of thousand less than during a week it was another set of huge gate receipts that seem certain to see Reading march towards a profit making season. Everything is looking very rosy at Reading Football Club at the moment thanks to Alan Pardew and his players. Much like Wolves spoiled the party it was Crystal Palace that got off to the better start of the two sides.

Early on Palace made it clear they hadn't come to sit back and attempt to play out a draw. They put in a couple of dangerous crosses within the opening five minutes and won a corner which saw the first shot of the game not too far wide of Hahnemann's post. After a determined start from the visitors Reading eventually settled down and both Tyson and Forster had attempts down the other end with Forster's shot needing a save. With Reading starting to really take the game to Palace we won a couple of corners that needed the Palace keeper to be awake. However their keeper didn't last long before being replaced by the substitute keeper. Unfortunately, the new keeper quickly settled in without Reading putting on any instant pressure. Reading also made an early substitution with Sidwell leaving the field to be replaced by Kevin Watson after just half an hour. It must have been due to Sidwell taking a knock or something but there wasn't an obvious injury. After a poor game in the week Sidwell had failed to really impress during his short time on the pitch and Reading looked a lot better with Watson on the pitch.

Watson seemed to open the game up more for the Royals as Reading's passing game really started coming together. We seemed to find a lot more space to work the ball around and our passing was a massive improvement - although there were still plenty of poor final balls to break down some excellent looking moves. The game was being played at a decent pace as well and it generated plenty of action with a few goals from Reading always looking likely. We managed to get the ball into the net during the first half but it was disallowed - I guess for a foul on the Palace goalkeeper. Nicky Forster really should have stuck one away as well after Hughes put over a great ball for Forster to run on to. It landed perfectly and you would have expected Forster to come out the best in the resulting one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but he put his shot wide of the right post.

Goalscoring remains a problem for Reading this season and in the end we needed Steve Brown to put us in front with his first Reading goal just after the hour mark. Andy Hughes was having a storming game through the middle of midfield and threatened to cause further problems for the Palace defence when he exchanged passes before attempting to run through the defence for the return. He was rudely stopped a bit outside the area and the resulting free-kick was moved forward right to the edge of the box after a Palace player went into the book for mouthing off. With the entire Palace side behind the ball Forster calmly knocked it back for Brown to run onto and unleash a powerful low shot that flew past the wall and into the bottom right side of the net. 1-0 to the Royals!

With Reading a goal up and not that much time remaining Reading looked comfortable and in control of the game. With Watson on the pitch the passing addiction spread throughout the side and we started to knock the ball around the pitch very nicely keeping possession of the ball. It must have been very frustrating for Palace as they seemed to be a step behind with Reading keeping hold of it and looking unlikely to present any real openings - until there were 75 minutes on the clock and we conceeded a free-kick midway inside our half. It wasn't clear what the free-kick was for and while we were still discussing that the ball was worked down the right and Johnson cut into the area on the right and drove it across Hahnemann and into the back of the net for the Palace equaliser.

With the game at 1-1 and time short on supply Reading went on the immediate hunt for the late winner. Murty was making some excellent forward runs down the wing and combining with Luke Chadwick who was starting to create problems for the visitors. Nathan Tyson had been replaced by John Salako and he was also looking good after coming off the bench. Andy Hughes continued to play a major role in the game. After being hacked down before on his run through he set off and and looked to be successful after riding a few challenges, working his way into the box and smashing the ball confidently past the keeper. Half of the Madejski Stadium erupted while the other half had spotted that the referee had already given a handball against Hughes as he ran through the defence.

A few minutes later and we had an even better chance to go back ahead when the ball was worked forward well to Forster on the edge of the area. Forster had managed to draw a couple of defenders and rather than shoot he generously prodded the ball to his left and into the path of the incoming John Salako. Salako couldn't have wished for a better opportunity, with the defence occupied he had just the keeper to beat. Rather than driving it home he sent his shot wide of the right post - harmlessly wide. For a while it looked like it wasn't going to be our day but with normal time played out a massive roar went up with the announcement of four minutes stoppage time - a last chance for Reading to grab a win. And they responded to the crowd for a dramatic late winner - a just reward for the chances that had gone before. Chadwick broke down the left and sent over a cross for James Harper who stuck it home in James Harper style. A confident solid finish sending the ball into the back of the net from the right side of the area. 2-1 to Reading and yet another big win.
Graham

Following report from John Wells
This game had the sort of climax that makes football so addictive. It was not the finest display of football I've seen this season but when James Harper lashed in the winner in the 93rd minute it felt like we had just won the league championship! A game which started quite poorly gradually built up to a tremendous finale with the best possible outcome - another three points. The goal itself was real cracker. Neat passing and a superbly struck first time shot, which anyone who has kicked a ball will appreciate, is never easy, especially when the ball is coming across your body.

The opening minutes gave no hint of what was to come as the Royals put themselves under pressure with some sloppy play. The first clear chance fell to Popovic who thankfully blasted wide from close range with a clear sight of goal. Soon after, a slick move ended with Murty's dangerous cross being hacked away for a corner. Forster and Tyson had shots blocked in quick succession and a goal was disallowed for a foul on the 'keeper.

Mid way through the half Berthelin was replaced in goal by Kolinko and he did not have to wait long before being asked to prove he was up to the job. A delightful corner from Harper found Hughes running in at the near post who tested the 'keeper with a well struck shot which was just tipped over. It was far from one-way traffic. Shorey gave a short pass and Palace broke quickly outnumbering the covering defenders but Hahnemann kept his head, stayed on his feet and made a good block.

Pardew decided to make a tactical change and replace Sidwell with Watson. The young midfielder looked as disappointed as I felt as he left the field. I could not understand why the change was made. As the game progressed it turned out to be a shrewd move. Watson's passing and experience proved to be a crucial factor in the victory.

Before half time Forster had two great chances, both provided by Hughes, to put Reading ahead. The first was a shocking miss. He beat the offside trap and with only the 'keeper to beat hit his shot feebly wide. The second chance was created by a superb cut back from Hughes and Fozzy struck it well only to see his shot hit the outside of the post. Half time came and the outcome was still in the balance. Palace were playing well and Reading were wasting chances.

Reading's passing looked much sharper at the start of the second half and the game opened up. Tyson almost opened the scoring with a brave header but we had to wait until the 66th minute for the deadlock to be broken. Hughes was bundled over as he tried to play a one-two on the edge of the area, and Shorey rolled it to Brown who drove the ball low and hard into the net. Reading on top and in the lead. Surely the game was safe. Ten minutes later Palace were level, but from where I was sitting it looked like the goal should never have been given. Johnson looked a couple of yards offside when he received the ball and finished smartly. There was no signs of panic yet as Reading went looking for the winner.

Hughes had a goal disallowed for handball. With three minutes of normal time left Reading built a fine move which left Salako in space in the area with only the 'keeper to beat. He steadied himself before hitting an awful shot which curled away from the goal without troubling the 'keeper at all. The passing then became untidy and the game scrappy and it looked as though we had blown a good chance to pick up three vital points. Then came Harper's rescue act and we all went home happy.

Before the game I had a beer with two Royals fans that had travelled down from Scotland. I hope they felt their journey was worthwhile. Start checking on flights to Cardiff in May lads - it's my round!