Reading took a huge step towards securing a play-off spot this afternoon, beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the Madejski Stadium while West Ham could only draw at home to Millwall. With Sheffield United only managing to pick up a single point from their two games during the week, Reading moved four points clear in sixth place. Sheffield United seem destined to miss out on that vital top six finish, leaving West Ham the key side to watch over the last few weeks of the season. Alan Pardew's side have a game in hand over the Royals but that would still see them behind on points even if they picked up a win. The Hammers also have three away games from their last four - and their only home game is against league leaders Sunderland. Reading still have to pick up some points to secure a play-off finish but must now be firm favourites for a fifth or sixth placed finish.

The Royals had Harper to thank for his winning goal with just over a quarter of an hour to go this afternoon, shortly after the visitors were reduced to ten men when their keeper was sent off. Reading's super sub Les Ferdinand once again impressed and played a big part in the turn around. The key moment came when Ferdinand put the keeper under pressure and forced him to handle the ball outside his area, picking up a red card. Reading had had much the better of the game but had been frustrated after a goalless first half. The Royals had some good chances to go ahead with Kitson and Forster both narrowly failing to get on the end of crosses. Murty was getting forward well and had a couple of shots saved by the Forest keeper. Down the other end Forest managed to hit the crossbar and put one just wide but Reading were defending well despite Ingimarsson being left on the bench in favour of Keown, who had a very solid game. After the break the chances were few and far between as Forest packed their defence and the sending off may have been a crucial moment to see Reading pick up their third consecutive win.

Following report from John Wells:
This was far from an inspiring victory, but it was nevertheless another solid performance and three more vital points as the Royals promotion challenge continues to gather momentum. It was a scrappy game with Forest guilty of dishing out some crude challenges at times. The crucial goal came sixteen minutes from the end of normal time when a blatant handball in the area by Taylor of Forest was remarkably ignored by the referee. It was such an obvious penalty everyone seemed to hesitate expecting a whistle. Fortunately Harper played on and poked the ball into the net as appeals for a spot kick quickly turned into goal celebrations. Justice was done!

It was an edgy performance from both teams but Reading were clearly the most likely winners. Forest could only muster a couple of goal attempts in the first half. Dobie shot narrowly wide from just outside the box after six minutes and an Evans free kick skimmed the top of the Reading crossbar just before half time. In between Reading were dominant and came close to scoring when Sidwell ran onto a good through ball and sent his shot wide of the far post from a difficult angle, and when Kitson's downward header was well saved by Gerrard. Although Murty and Harper were finding it difficult to get decent crosses over, Shorey and Forster were causing problems for Forest down the left. It has been a common failing this season that Reading have failed to attack the ball on crosses and the same problem surfaced again today. Shorey whipped in a superb cross but Kitson was slow to react and Forster simply watched from just inside the area. It was worrying given that it was an obvious ball to anticipate. Soon after Fozzy got behind the defence and fired in a low cross which Harper almost reached at the far post, but where were the forwards?

The second half was far more eventful. Forster cut inside and saw his firmly struck shot well saved. Minutes later Forest nearly caught Reading out with a quick counter attack which culminated in and awful shot into the high into the stands. Hahnemann sportingly put the ball out of play to allow a Forest player to receive treatment. Forest initially tried to throw the ball out for a goal kick which was bad enough, but then the referee ordered the throw to be retaken. This time the Forest player managed to throw the ball out of play for a Reading throw down by the corner flag! Expletives are applicable! Newmnan was literally elbowed out of the game and had to come off with blood oozing from a head wound. The referee seemed to think that was O.K. Little came into the right of midfield and Harper moved into a central midfield role. Aware of the importance of a victory, Coppell again forced the issue by replacing Brooker with Ferdinand and boldly played with three up front.

The turning point in the game came four minutes later. Gerrard, having been booked in the first half was sent off when his momentum carried him out of the area and he handled the ball. He had to go, but a straight red card seemed unwarranted. Soon after Reading took the lead. Not taking any chances Coppell then brought Hughes on for Kitson and reverted to 4-4-2. Kitson came was probably pleased to take a break from being hacked from behind by the Forest back four. Ferdinand had a good header saved near the end but Reading secured a vital win without too much trouble in the end.

I can't help feeling sorry for Ingimarsson who has been superb for most of the season and finds himself on the bench. Again Coppell is absolutely right in his selection. He is clearly a more accomplished footballer than Sonko but he simply would not compliment Keown in the same way. Keown justified his selection with a typically assured performance that comes from years of playing at a much higher level. He has the attitude of a winner which will hopefully rub off on his colleagues during the rest of the season.