Sport

Reading close in on place in the play-offs as Derby struggle

ENGLISH LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP: Derby County 0 Reading 2

Wed Apr 22 2009 - 01:00

ENGLISH LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP:Derby County 0 Reading 2

READING TOOK advantage of Derby’s frail defence to all but secure their place in the Championship play-offs and leave the Rams looking anxiously over their shoulders.

Second-half goals from Dave Kitson and Sean Long gave Reading only their second win in 10 Championship games to put them six points ahead of seventh-placed Swansea with just two games remaining, with Steve Coppell’s side having a far superior goal difference.

On-loan striker Kitson and striker partner Long also had goals ruled out for offside in the first half, as Derby’s disjointed defence struggled to contain them.

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Nigel Clough’s side have now won only one in nine and are by no means assured of staying up, with third-bottom Norwich five points behind them with two games remaining.

Long had the ball in the back of the net after just two minutes but the referee’s assistant flagged for offside.

Reading again thought they had taken the lead through a bullet header from Kitson, but an offside flag once again came to Derby’s rescue. The second half started in a similar fashion, with both sides pressing for the opener but it was Reading who broke the deadlock after 55 minutes.

Mali winger Jimmy Kebe was the architect, swinging in an inviting cross from the left and Kitson got in front of his marker to head beyond the helpless Stephen Bywater. Derby were unable to respond, looking short of ideas going forward and they were left with a mountain to climb when Long doubled Reading’s lead after 72 minutes.

The Republic of Ireland striker broke the offside trap and kept his cool to slot the ball under Bywater as Reading ran out worthy winners.

DERBY COUNTY:Bywater, Connolly, Albrechtsen, Nyatanga, Todd (Pearson 80), Varney, Savage, Bannan, Teale, Hulse (Villa 83), Commons (Barazite 89). Subs not used: Price, Sterjovski. Booked: Bannan.

READING:Hahnemann, Rosenior, Bikey (Pearce 87), Duberry, Harding, Little (Stephen Hunt 75), Karacan, Tabb, Kebe (Matejovsky 89), Kitson, Long. Subs not used: Federici, Cisse.

Referee:Colin Webster (Tyne Wear).