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Two errors from Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann cost his side as Preston came from behind to win. The Royals went ahead when Noel Hunt was fouled by Sean St Ledger and the Irish striker's brother Stephen stepped up to score from the penalty. But Preston equalised when Ivar Ingimarsson's header crept past his keeper Hahnemann for an own goal. And the hosts grabbed the winner when Hahnemann missed Ross Wallace's corner and Stephen Elliott tapped in. Reading manager Steve Coppell:
"We had a brilliant opportunity to get a point or points. We can only blame ourselves. We have no excuses other than our own frailty. This was an opportunity for us that we didn't take. I'm not blaming anyone, it happens. We have played a lot worse this year and won games."
BBC Sport
Even though Noel Hunt struck a post late on, Jimmy Kebe was denied a penalty appeal and Youl Mawene twisted his body to deflect a Shane Long effort away from a vacant net in stoppage time, Preston just about deserved the respite this win gives them.
Mind you, Reading, who have been pursing Wolves and Birmingham the way a track greyhound chases the hare, contributed to their own downfall. Steve Coppell has always won high marks for tactical acumen, but there isn’t much planning that can legislate for the way in which Preston were allowed to drag themselves back into the game.
A 53rd-minute cross from Chris Sedgwick was so innocuous either goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann or Ivar Ingimarsson ought to have disposed of it comfortably. Instead, the pair suffered a Niagara Falls rush of blood to the head. Hahnemann left it for his captain and vice-versa. The ball clipped Ingimarsson and dropped into the far corner of the net. Neither Reading nor Preston could believe it. The moment was treasurable only as a piece of absurdist comedy.
There was almost another like it on the hour. Hahnemann, still suffering post-goal traumatic stress disorder, flapped at another high ball and Jon Parkin saw his header fall just wide.
Until the shambles of the own goal, however, Reading had the game under control.
The Times
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