This was an impressive victory, Reading's biggest of the season so far, against a Preston North End side that continued to look good even with only nine players on the pitch. Reading took advantage of two red cards sustained by the visitors, one in each half, to turn this fixture into a big Reading win and look near certainties to finish in the play-off positions by collecting another three points. Reading had wrapped the game up by half time with Preston already reduced to ten men and Reading two goals up thanks to a Forster brace. If there was any doubt about the result it was pushed well aside after just 58 minutes when Reading were 4-0 up and Preston were down to just nine men. It was a little disappointing not to have gone on to increase the lead, but Reading lost their urgency and shape with a series of substitutions that gave Chadwick and Forster a rest ahead of Friday's big game. It was sensible tactics from Pardew with an impressive victory already in the bag. Cureton and Henderson both had chances to extend the lead with over half an hour on the pitch each - but they lacked the clinical finishing ability on show from Nicky Forster who secured his second hat-trick of the season just before his substitution.

Preston fans will be hugely disappointed with the result and the two sendings off after such a long mid-week trip, but they should be impressed with a other aspects of their team's performance as they stroked the ball around with just nine players and thoroughly deserved their goal that was scored with seven minutes left on the clock. The traveling fans will also be annoyed with the referee - with a full team they might have got something from this game - however, the two red cards were fully justified. Jackson picked up an early yellow card for hammering the ball away when Reading won a free-kick and went into the book again inside the half hour mark for clattering into Nicky Forster well after the ball had gone. Some referee's might have bottled it so early on in the game but the challenge certainly deserved the second yellow - which meant a very early bath for the Preston player. The straight red card for Lucas, the Preston goalkeeper, seemed a little harsh but was entirely correct. Little was clean through and had taken the ball well past Lucas when the keeper dragged him down inside the area. It was a certain goal denied and Lucas had to go. With Shorey stepping up to make it 3-0 from the penalty spot at that point, with well over half an hour to play against nine-men, the result wasn't in any doubt.

Preston nearly matched Reading during the opening exchanges and gave plenty of indication there were here to make a match of it despite their mid-table position. However the visitors failed to find the target despite enjoying plenty of early possession. Reading got the first shot in on target when the impressive Harper forced a save from the Preston keeper. Preston managed a couple of efforts during the first half and a couple of corners and had a shot narrowly over the Reading crossbar - but Hahnemann wasn't required to make a save. Chadwick had an effort on target but it wasn't until the first sending off that Reading seriously threatened. It was 1-0 almost immediately after Jackson received his marching orders, when the ball was put into the back of the net after Forster took advantage from a series of shots. Salako, who was all over the place and creating some excellent openings, nearly extended the lead when he hit the ball against the bottom of the crossbar from a tight angle. Moments after that Forster picked up his second goal when Salako went on an excellent run to get to the right and put over a cross that saw Forster make it 2-0.

It seemed unlikely Preston could some back from two goals down at half time and it really was all over with the second red card. The last defender made a right mess of it on the edge of the area under very little pressure as he collected the ball only to lose his footing and leave the ball free on the edge of the box. The very little pressure turned into Little pressure as Little gratefully took the ball into the area and prodded it past the keeper only to be taken down for the penalty. Forster must have been dying to secure his hat-trick at that point but following a poor run of penalties allowed Shorey to confidently blast it home from the spot. Immediately after the third it was 4-0 when Murty played a superb long ball over the defence and into the path of Forster. Forster headed it down on the edge of the area and took it wide before looping the ball deliciously over the advancing goalkeeper and into the empty net. A superb goal to complete his hat-trick and seal the victory. The Madejski Stadium erupted and for a moment we all thought we might be in for a ridiculously big win.

Straight after the fourth goal Forster was taken off, along with Chadwick, to give Cureton and Henderson a chance. Fifteen minutes after that Little was replaced by Tyson as Murty pushed forward to form an altogether different formation. On paper it looked very attacking but the pace had gone with Reading stroking the ball around and making sure we didn't do anything stupid to pick up an injury or needless bookings. It was a very sensible game plan but meant we didn't get the extra goals we would have liked - however we did have plenty of chances to extend the lead. Cureton missed a couple of excellent chances and will be disappointed to have not found the target - especially after completely failing to connect with the ball on one occasion.

Preston were also starting to enjoy themselves by playing the ball around and they showed some very neat touches to create a couple of good moves forward and retain possession. After one good move they put the ball into the back of the net with a shot from the centre, on the edge of the area, with the Reading defence looking a bit thin. Hahnemann really should have made the save but instead found himself pushing the ball into the side of the net. It was the first real shot of the game he had needed to save and he had failed. The Reading fans didn't mind though as they politely applauded the goal along with the Preston fans. The four goal margin was restored as the game ticked over the ninety minutes mark when a cross from Nicky Shorey was headed home by Henderson at the far post. A good finish from Henderson, and to the game, as Reading completed a very satisfactory scoreline.
Graham

Following report from John Wells
After a cautious start, the Royals romped to a significant high scoring victory and edged closer to the play-offs. Superb finishing from Nicky Forster and some rash challenges from the visitors which reduced their opponents to ten men after twenty-eight minutes and then to nine shortly after half time leave Reading with a six point cushion and a game in hand going into two very tough Easter fixtures.

Preston came to this game with nothing to lose and nothing to play for but in good form, and for the first twenty-five minutes presented Reading with a few problems. Reading were virtually playing 4-4-2 with Little pushing forward to support Forster. Preston looked dangerous on the break and Reading gave them some encouragement by giving the ball away on the half way line unnecessarily. Reading's best efforts were a thirty yard drive from Harper which Lucas saved comfortably, and a well placed shot across goal from Forster which the 'keeper could only palm away at full stretch. Forster was looking a bit rusty for the opening quarter of an hour but soon got into his stride.

The game burst into life when Jackson scythed down Forster as he skipped past two defenders on the right touchline. Two minutes later Reading took the lead. Hughes miscued badly but Preston failed to get the ball away and Forster reacted quickly to hammer the ball home from close range. Salako's inclusion was clearly justified. His passing, and ability to retain possession, were crucial factors in the first half. He was also moving inside and getting more involved. He almost increased the lead when Fozzy typically accelerated away and cut a good ball back. Salako met it well but his shot smacked against the bar. Moments later Fozzy missed a good chance when he finished tamely with only the 'keeper to beat. He made up for it three minutes before half time when Salako controlled a long ball on his chest and rolled the ball into his path. His pace gave him just enough room to slide the ball wide of the Lucas from the edge of the box with his left foot.

At two nil it looked safe, but the result was put beyond doubt in a two minute spell just before the hour mark. Little pounced on a defensive error and was tripped by Lucas as he went past the sprawling 'keeper. It was a penalty but the big man certainly made the most of it! Shorey calmly slotted home the penalty. A minute later Murty sent a long ball over the top for Forster to chase. (Forster had earlier complained about such service from the same player.) This time Fozzy outpaced two Preston defenders and lobbed Gould from a tight angle to complete his hat trick. They were three very different but well taken goals and encouraging in that he demonstrated an awareness and composure which has often been missing from his game. He was wisely taken off almost immediately in preparation for Friday.

Chadwick, who had been disappointing, was also taken off, and Cureton and Henderson were given their chance to stake a claim for a place in the team. The game became a bit untidy and Reading huffed and puffed without creating much. Credit must be given to Preston for keeping possession and defending in a disciplined manner. They grabbed a consolation goal when Mears hit a great drive from about thirty yards. Pardew correctly questioned how Hahnemann failed to stop it. It could only have been a lapse in concentration. In stoppage time Henderson reminded us of what we are missing by not having a forward who is strong in the air by comfortably converting a Shorey cross into a goal with a well placed header. There were few thousand Reading fans who were on their way home by then and were not around to see it. I felt tonight the players deserved much better support than they received. Some really good football, worthy of applause, seemed to pass unnoticed by huge sections of the crowd. These are exciting times and the fans can really make a difference. Shouldn't we all be there applauding them off the field at the end of a 5-1 win which virtually guarantees a play-off spot?