Town climbed back into the top six and extended their extraordinary record of Tuesday night home victories to 16 as an 89th minute Brett Pitman goal saw them to a 2-1 victory over Reading. After a lacklustre first half Ryan Fraser put the Blues in front on 57, Royals sub Garath McCleary equalised from the spot before Pitman’s late winner.

Boss Mick McCarthy made three changes to his side, two of them forced. Bartosz Bialkowski took over from the injured Dean Gerken in goal, while Luke Hyam replaced Jonathan Douglas, who started a three-game ban for his red card at Birmingham.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles came in for Kevin Bru, who dropped to the bench, in a switch to 4-4-2 with Freddie Sears moving up front with Daryl Murphy.

Keeper Jonathan Henly was on the Blues bench for the first time against the club where he came through the academy before being released last summer.

Central defender Piotr Malarczyk was available after serving his one-match ban and was in the 20-man squad but was left out of the 18 in favour of Paul Digby.

For Reading, who wore an unusual all mauve kit, Yann Kermorgant, a Town target during his time with Bournemouth, made his full debut."
The game made a very quiet start with the only incident of note in the opening 10 minutes Kermorgant requiring treatment after a clash of heads.

On 11 Ryan Fraser whipped in a corner from the left which Ali Al-Habsi in the Reading goal was forced to punch away from under his crossbar at the near post.

Four minutes later, Royals skipper Oliver Norwood wasted a freekick - won when Stephen Quinn rather obviously ran straight into Town skipper Luke Chambers - in a promising position on the left, hitting a low shot well wide of the near post with his team-mates waiting in the box.

Jordan Obita got his name in referee Tim Robinson’s book in the 19th minute for a foul on Hyam down the right as the Blues started to get on top. Maitland-Niles whipped in a dangerous freekick, then Fraser’s corner from the left was headed away from inside the six-yard box by Jake Cooper.

The Blues continued have the better of what had been a largely drab game played in a pre-season type atmosphere. On 24 Al-Habsi failed to deal with a low Daryl Murphy cross from the right and Chris Gunter somewhat uncomfortably cleared.

On 24, following a Town corner, Reading broke quickly through Hal Robson-Kanu on the right but Hyam got a heel to his low cross as he looked to find Quinn at the far post.

Two minutes later the Blues threatened when Hyam fed Maitland-Niles but the England U19 international’s well-struck shot was blocked by Anton Ferdinand. The on-loan Arsenal youngster was by now playing in the advanced central midfield role with the Blues having switched to their 4-3-3 system with Sears back out on the right.

As the game approached the half-hour mark Matej Vydra was sent away between Tommy Smith and Christophe Berra but the New Zealand international did enough to send him away from goal. The Czech did well to find Robson-Kanu but the Wales international was crowded out.

Two minutes later, Murphy surrendered possession to Vydra inside the Town half but the visitors were unable to work themselves a clear-cut shot at goal.

Fraser smashed a long distance effort across the face of goal on 34 and then, with Reading now on top, Vydra hit a low 25-yard effort which Bialkowski claimed comfortably.

Sears broke away down the right in the 44th minute and found Fraser who took a difficult ball down deftly before hitting a shot which Al-Habsi blocked. After the corner, Smith scuffed a volley wide off Sears.

In injury time Norwood was booked for tripping Fraser as he broke towards the area after Jonas Knudsen had won the ball. From the freekick, Murphy and then Chambers headed the ball goalwards but the linesman’s flag was raised for offside and referee Robinson immediately blew his whistle for half-time.

Town had had the better of a not overly entertaining half with Al-Habsi the busier of the two keepers, albeit without having made too many serious saves.

The Blues had got on top after a very slow start to the game, then Reading had a short spell in which Vydra in particular had been a threat, but Town had ended the half looking the more dangerous side.

Bru took over from Maitland-Niles ahead of the second half, slipping into his regular role ahead of Skuse and Hyam.

The Blues were the first to threaten three minutes after the restart when Reading failed to deal with a ball in from the left. Chambers crossed back from the right and Hyam scuffed over when he probably should have left the ball for Skuse.

Reading created an opening on 56 when Kermorgant escaped down the right and sent over a cross for Vydra, who turned his shot against Smith.

But a minute later, Town claimed the lead. Sears burst away down the right before cutting the ball back behind Fraser, who spun on to his left foot and hit a low shot which struck Cooper, hit the inside of the post and crossed the line behind Al-Habsi.

Having grabbed their first goal, Fraser’s sixth of his season-long from AFC Bournemouth, the Blues went looking for their second, Murphy shooting into the Sir Bobby Robson Stand, then Sears going closer with a low 25-yard strike which deflected into the side-netting off Cooper. On 65 Berra was booked for a foul on Kermorgant

Smith powerfully headed a Bru corner straight at Al-Habsi on 66. The Royals immediately broke two on one and should have got back on terms but sub Garath McCleary crossed against Skuse when he should comfortably have found the unmarked Vydra.

However, after Kermorgant had headed powerfully straight at Bialkowski, Skuse went from hero to zero by conceding a penalty from which the visitors equalised.

Robson-Kanu was harmlessly taking the ball across the area away to the right when the Blues’ midfielder slid in and somewhat needlessly brought him down.

Referee Robinson pointed to the spot and there were only muted appeals from Skuse and his team-mates. McCleary lashed the penalty down the middle of the goal past Bialkowski.

Town went about restoring their lead and on 72 Bru sent a shot not too far over Al-Habsi’s crossbar.

Six minutes later, after a long spell of Town possession, Knudsen smashed a low shot from distance which Al-Habsi claimed. Brett Pitman replaced the tiring Hyam on 82.

Reading were looking the more dangerous side in the final 10 minutes but on 84 a loose ball following a corner fell to Berra, who scrambled an effort towards goal which reached Pitman, whose effort was well saved by Al-Habsi down to his left, however, the linesman’s flag had been raised.

Luke Varney replaced Murphy on 87 and two minutes later Varney created the winner for fellow sub Pitman.

The former Leeds man chased a Fraser long ball down the left, took a touch and sent over an inch-perfect pass for on-rushing Pitman, who diverted the ball past Al-Habsi, off the keeper’s right post and in to seal another late, late Town home victory, just as he did against Leeds last month.

Town saw out injury time comfortably - Norwood’s deflected shot into Bialkowski’s arms was the visitors’ best chance - and Portman Road’s lowest league crowd of the season of 16,616 erupted with a mixture of delight and relief at the final whistle.

Having gone in front the Blues probably should have sealed the three points at that stage but as so often at home this season they allowed the visitors back into the game and then gifted the penalty via Skuse’s uncharacteristically rash tackle.

But, as ever, Town kept going right to the whistle and, despite Reading having looked the more likely winners for spells, subs Varney and Pitman carved out the late winning goal for the third time in the last four home league games.

The Blues’ victory and Sheffield Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at home to Burnley sees Town move back into the final play-off place a point in front of the Owls and Birmingham in seventh and eighth - who meet one another at St Andrew's on Saturday - ahead of the weekend trip to QPR.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Smith, Berra, Knudsen, Maitland-Niles (Bru 46), Skuse, Hyam (Pitman 82), Fraser, Sears, Murphy (Varney 87). Subs: Henly, Foley, Digby, Coke.

Reading: Al-Habsi, Gunter, Obita, Ferdinand, Cooper, Williams, Norwood (c), Quinn (McCleary 61), Robson-Kanu, Vydra, Kermorgant. Subs: Bond, Taylor, Hector, McShane, Piazon, John. Referee: Tim Robinson (West Sussex). Att: 16,616 (Reading 205).

Photo: Action Images

battyblue added 11:57 - Feb 3 I always said Pitman was a good signing and will or could be our top goal scorer if played regular and more to the point to his strengths which applies to any striker Pitman is no target man for Hoofball tactics and never will be .
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1RWR added 12:07 - Feb 3 3 points papering over obvious cracks I'm sorry to say. How anyone can say 'great game' lord knows, I was there & it was DIRE! Midfield dynamo needed pdq!
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BackTheBlues added 12:07 - Feb 3 Can we all agree to stop the Mick out and the team isn't good enough until the end of the season now? IN the top 6 = Mick's amazing Outside of the top 6 by a point = Mick Out Marcus Out Team is Rubbish blaa blaa blaa LEt's spend the rest of the season pushing the boys we have into the top 6! Couple of big week fixtures us and around us coming up!
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NSL added 12:10 - Feb 3 The strange atmosphere is due to the crowd not being entertained by the 'football' and the feeling that although we are in a great position, it won't amount to anything come May when we have to play a real promotion contender over two legs.
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JimmyP45 added 12:44 - Feb 3 Point for discussion...drop Murphy for Pitman? A lot of fans asking for Murphy to be dropped for Pitman as he looks sharper in front of goal. However, Murphy does a better job of holding up the ball and laying off to Fraser and Sears which works only because we play long ball football. Anyone else wish to share their thoughts...
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Keaneish added 13:01 - Feb 3 Fair point dirtydingusmagee - i ran out of time before the bus pulled up! I'll provide something a bit more insightful after Loftus Road.
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Spirit_of_78 added 13:02 - Feb 3 Point not for discussion..... Back Mick! We have no choice and anyway what the hell is he doing so wrong with the resources available? No it's not great football but where would we rather be bottom three and struggling? I think not. This is what we have at the moment so enjoy being top six and in with a chance.
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prebsa added 13:03 - Feb 3 JimmyP45 - I personally feel that its fair for pitman to get to start the next few games, murph has looked quite slow to me in recent weeks and it looks as though he is keeping his place based on last years work. Pits has worked really hard off the bench and grabbed us some vial points so you cant really ask for much more. Also i feel that he can almost match murph with his ability to hold up play and bring sears and fraser in and i also think he is slightly sharper in front of goal. However thats my opinion and others will think differently and thats fine too. A great question to bring up and debate!

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OldClactonBlue added 13:09 - Feb 3 Beattiesballbag Absolutely
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geminimustang added 13:57 - Feb 3 When Mark Hughes was managing Blackburn,he was slagged off for not playing like Barcelona,his reply "i haven't got Barcelona's players".Similar to MM & TC.They're doing amazingly well.If ever a team was greater than the sum of its' parts,it's ITFC".Great win.
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NSL added 14:03 - Feb 3 Mick is doing a great job with what he has yes - maybe he is being used as the scapegoat in place of the faceless owner by some fans. However the fact is that we have been promised a proper promotion challenge for the last 10 seasons which is always going to lead to frustration and resentment!
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runningout added 15:45 - Feb 3 Bit of a shame a victory is still almost treated as a surprise.. Aim high then higher :-)
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Beattiesballbag added 17:28 - Feb 3 geminimustang They may not play like Barcelona & I doubt any of their fans expect them to but I bet Stoke fans are a lot happier now he has got in some footballers & changed their style! & why do MM fans keep trying to justify what he ISN'T doing by saying it's better than being at the bottom of the league, would you prefer how things were under Jewl & Keen!..................that is not the only other option! We have also had good Managers in the past who have had no money to spend & they managed to find players who could pass the ball & do all the dirty nitty gritty things! Don't try to tell me that all the young Managers in this country or abroad are like the Dark Lord because thats just B*@*^cks. We are NOT a small club given the right football you would not have gates like last night ........it would be double that, but you cannot expect fans to keep paying the prices asked when they KNOW it could be better.

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SpiritOfJohn added 17:52 - Feb 3 Why not play Pitman AND Murphy when we play 4-4-2? Sears would have to play on the right but Pitman is a genuine number 10 IMO. Would have thought that the lowest crowd of the season often corresponds to a rearranged midweek fixture.
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Keaneish added 17:59 - Feb 3 Beattiesballbag - exactly.
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neillrumsey added 18:27 - Feb 3 Fantastic win against a very poor Reading side who played like it was a friendly. Portman Rd was nearly empty with about 12000 maximum. Dour game hence quiet crowd. For me Knudsen was taking to the cleaners so many times in the first half and then went for a header in the second half colliding with Berra allowing the opposition a clear run at goal. Kenlock must be given a chance. Murphy who was fantastic last season still looks well off the pace. Agree he can bring others in with his hold up play but he couldn't control the ball. Varney or Pitman deserve a chance. Everything good was through Sears and Fraser and what a fantastic winner where we played it on the ground. Pitmans movement was superb

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whosroundisitanyway added 19:34 - Feb 3 So Fraser's 60yd pass to Varney was on the ground? Interesting.
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Seasider added 20:01 - Feb 3 Mick thought the game was turgid,tough and scrappy;but was thrilled. I was also happy with the result,but not the first half.Didn't expect anything else though as the pairing of Hyam and Skuse never works. Mick also thought that changing formation and bringing on Kevin Bru was turning point to which I agree again.In fact all three subs who came on replaced the 3 worst players who were underperforming . The worrying thing was the attendance,being lowest of season.Clearly although Mickmac is very good at man management,and getting the best out of his players,some of whom are quite ordinary; he doesn't bother too much about the supporters,and doesn't suffer fools gladly.This has come out in interviews on radio,tv,website and at meetings I have attended when he is present.He is ok until he is asked an awkward question when his attitude changes.His attitude to Cup games and the latest transfer window did I feel affect the attendance last night and also the atmosphere which was very flat.Something he also remarked upon saying that him and TC were shouting the loudest. I feel that he has flirted with playing more attractive football,and certainly his formations are now more fluid,although his basic instinct is for the team to win ugly if necessary. I continue to go regularly as I have for 50+ years(health permitting);but from talking to people,and the social media leads me to think that his attitude is partly responsible for the low attendance together with the two things mentioned above and the cost. I hope he does make a stella loan or two from next Monday,and if Didsy and the Bish return then ITFC could get into the playoffs,when many of the fans will return.In the meantime I will enjoy my drink in Legends,sometimes more than the game itself.

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TimmyH added 20:35 - Feb 3 Unfortunately there are a lot of supporters (presumably fairly young) who have Keane and Jewell down as their yardstick to judge football management by at this club. Any supporter worth their weight can tell you these 2 managers (unfortunately as we know one followed the other) were the worst we've had in my living memory and history before that - don't say Duncan was just as bad, his style of football wasn't good after the Robson/ferguson era but he won 45% of his league matches - something McCarthy actually has yet to match! and Duncan was sacked after his third season. Food for thought people.

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blueboy1981 added 20:56 - Feb 3 Spot on TimmyH.
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blueboy1981 added 20:59 - Feb 3 ....... equally so - Seasider.
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HackneyBlue added 21:23 - Feb 3 100% penalty 100% school boy error and he knows
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HackneyBlue added 21:28 - Feb 3 John Duncan possibly had the worst squad of players to work with,they were grey days but expectations were lower,i can honestly say watching town at present aside a couple of games is painful.When your rightback finds the touch for the 6th time without any pressure upon him it gets hard to take,hey ho.
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DerryfromBury added 22:00 - Feb 3 Unable to get to the game last night (genuine reason), so I won't comment on individual performances, based on varies post match reports. A wins a win, 3 points no one can take away from us. I'd like to think ME is keeping his powder dry and wallet firmly closed, until such time as Bournemouth announce Ryan Fraser is surplus to their requirements. Then it will be cheque book out, pen to paper, and he'll finally be a true blue. COYB

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Keaneish added 22:09 - Feb 3 I'm only posting this to take the post count after a win into triple figures. Post number 100. Should change a few people's perception of TWTD post victory!
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