Danny Williams netted the game’s third penalty deep in second-half injury time to hand Reading a 2-1 victory over the Blues at the Madejski Stadium, Jonas Knudsen having been adjudged to have hauled down Joey van den Berg at a corner. In first-half injury time Grant Ward had been harshly penalised for handball for the game’s first spotkick, Garath McCleary putting the Royals in front, with Brett Pitman firing home Town’s penalty five minutes after the break having been fouled by Tyler Blackett.

Boss Mick McCarthy named the same team that defeated Preston North End 1-0 before the international break with new signings Tom Lawrence and Leon Best among the subs, along with Conor Grant, back from his groin injury.

Reading started with midfielder Van den Berg, who had a trial with Town in 2006, while John Swift, who spent a similar spell with the Blues in 2014, was on the bench.

The Blues, wearing their Barcelona-style third kit with new maroon shorts and socks, started brightly and Freddie Sears forced Ali Al-Habsi into a save in only the third minute.

Ward picked up a loose ball not far outside the Reading box and looped the ball over a defender. Sears took it into the area and hit a shot which Al-Habsi did well to push into the air.

Bru picked up the loose ball and fed Pitman, playing as the central striker with Ward to his right and Sears to the left, but the midfielder was flagged offside.

Reading began to dominate possession, as is their usual approach under new manager Jaap Stam, and in the eighth minute would have gone in front but for a brilliant Bartosz Bialkowski save.

Tommy Smith stabbed a loose ball back towards Bialkowski from a few yards outside the area but only succeeded in playing in Roy Beerens.

The Dutchman looked to square to Yann Kermorgant but the quickly advancing Bialkowski read it and reacted with superb reflexes to paw the ball out to Christophe Berra, who cleared the danger.

A minute later the Royals threatened again, George Evans heading over from a Beerens cross from the left.

Bialkowski made another important stop in the 26th minute when skipper Luke Chambers cleared the ball against Beerens, who took it across Tommy Smith and hit a shot which the Polish keeper saved across to his left, Berra again clearing.

Referee Jeremy Simpson got his yellow card out for the first time in the 29th minute after Liam Moore had tripped Kevin Bru as the Mauritius international took the ball round him on the outside, not far outside the box. The resultant freekick came to nothing.

The home side continued to have most of the ball but without threatening, aside from a number of balls into the box which the Blues backline and keeper Bialkowski dealt with.

On 36 Evans hit a shot from distance which deflected over, then two minutes later Chris Gunter was yellow-carded for dissent.

In the 41st minute Evans joined him in the book for diving in at Ward and catching him in the back with his knees after the Blues winger had slid in and won the ball. Some referees might have deemed the offence worthy of a straight red card with Evans not needing to make a challenge, the ball had gone, and having gone in high.

The half seemed set to end level but two minutes into injury time the Royals were awarded a spotkick.

The ball was played back to Blackett a couple of yards away from the corner of the box on the left. The former Manchester United defender slammed his cross into Ward’s arm with the winger only a matter of a couple of yards in front of him and referee Simpson pointed straight to the spot.

Although the ball clearly struck Ward’s arm, the former Spurs man would have had no time to react to the cross and it was difficult to see how the referee could have deemed the contact deliberate.

McCleary stepped up and sent Bialkowski the wrong way to send the home side in a goal in front at the break.

Up to the penalty, the Blues will have been happy enough with the half for the most part.

Aside from a couple of chances which came from Town errors, the Royals hadn’t particularly threatened, despite having a very significant share of possession.

At the other end, Town had only very occasionally caused the Reading backline any headaches with Sears’s early opportunity the nearest they had come to a goal.

Five minutes after the restart, the Blues were back on terms via a penalty of their own. Jonathan Douglas initially felt he’d been fouled as the ball came in from the right, then as Knudsen looped it back in from the left Blackett shoved Pitman at the far post.

While Reading fans will presumably have viewed the decision as harshly as Town fans had the earlier spotkick, there was certainly a push by Blackett, who became the fourth Royals player to be booked.

Pitman smashed the penalty down the middle of the goal before celebrating his first goal of the season in front of the Town fans.

Chambers picked up the Blues’ first booking of the evening for a foul on Kermorgant before Ward went close to putting Town in front.

Bru was sent away down the left and cut the ball back to the summer signing from Tottenham, who turned superbly and hit a shot which Al-Habsi did well to keep out.

On 57 Beerens sent over a cross from the left which McCleary headed into the ground and straight at Bialkowski when he ought to have tested the Blues keeper more significantly.

Town had another good chance to go in front right on the hour. Berra nodded down Bru’s corner from the right and the ball fell to Smith, but the New Zealand international sliced the ball over the bar, much to his evident frustration.

The Blues were more in the game as an attacking force in the second half and soon after Smith’s chance Ward wasn’t too far away from finding Pitman with a cross from the right. Knudsen’s subsequent shot flew well wide.

On 67 Sears played Pitman in on the right of the box and the former Bournemouth man hit a low shot which Al-Habsi couldn’t hold and Blackett turned it behind. From the corner, Berra headed over, much to his frustration. While Al-Habsi prepared to take the goalkick Teddy Bishop replaced Bru.

As the game moved into its final quarter of an hour Swift hit a shot from distance which Bialkowski bundled behind.

From the resultant Reading corner Sears broke quickly from deep. The ex-Colchester and West Ham man ought to have fed Pitman but continued to take the ball on and was crowded out.

The ball deflected out to Pitman on the left and his cross flew too deep but as the ball came over Blackett felled Bishop with a stray arm inside the box but referee Simpson missed it.

Town threatened again moments later with Douglas’s header sending Pitman in on goal on the left of the box but Van den Berg made a brilliant challenge to prevent the Town striker getting in a shot.

Royals sub Jordan Obita sent over a dangerous cross from the left in the 84th minute, fellow replacement Stephen Quinn, the brother of ex-Blue Alan, heading over having got in front of Berra.

A minute later Cole Skuse hit a shot through to Al-Habsi from distance and on 86 Luke Varney took over from Ward.

As the match moved into four minutes of injury time Moore nodded down a freekick from the left but Van den Berg was unable to get a final touch and Bialkowski was able to claim. Soon after, Skuse shot well wide for the Blues.

Town looked to have claimed what would have been a deserved draw until Reading were awarded their second penalty of the evening.

As Reading prepared to take a corner on the right there was some pushing and pulling involving Berra and Paul McShane. The Scotland international was eventually booked, as was Van den Berg for intervening.

When the ball finally did come in from the right Van den Berg tried to force his way past Knudsen and went to ground as the Danish international grappled with him.

Referee Simpson pointed to the spot for the third time, probably unsurprisingly given the prior incident. Knudsen was booked for his foul and Skuse for complaining about the decision.

With McCleary having been subbed Williams took the penalty and beat Bialkowski to claim the three points.

Had the game ended in a draw then the Blues would have deserved the point having had the better of the chances in the second half.

The penalty incidents will inevitably be the main talking points with all three of the type which might not have been given on another day by another official with referee Simpson putting in an inconsistent performance throughout.

Town, who are 13th in the Championship, are next in action at Derby County on Tuesday evening.

Reading: Al-Habsi, Gunter, Blackett (Obita 82), Moore, McShane (c), Van den Berg, Evans (Quinn 59), Williams, McCleary (Swift 66), Beerens, Kermorgant. Unused: Jaakkola, Mendes, Harriott, Watson.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Smith, Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Douglas, Bru (Bishop 68), Ward (Varney 86), Sears, Pitman. Unused: Gerken, Webster, Grant, Lawrence, Best. Referee: Jeremy Simpson (Lancashire). Att: 15,146 (Town: 1,070).

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich58 added 23:02 - Sep 9 The awful thing is with that appalling dinosaur in charge I'm beginning not to care. Nothing will change until MM disappears. I loathe the man with a passion
15

sidtheswan added 23:03 - Sep 9 Never fail to be disappointed by MM and his tactics . Got some decent players on loan just need a manager who will play football. Derby A and Villa H could be a struggle !
5

Ipswich58 added 23:05 - Sep 9 He insults our intelligence, talks B******s and is the most obstinate idiot the club has ever employed.
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prebbs007 added 23:06 - Sep 9 So Pragmatic. My comments are only critical and being dismissed by everyone on this board are they. Well here I go again. I'm an utter joke with my thoughts. Horrible selection. Chambers a liability AGAIN Smith pathetic. Almost gave away goal in first 10 mins then another just after the hour and missed open goal that would have probably won the game and hoofed it all night. Knudsen as the dinosaur said - shambolic Skuse couldn't pass to himself in a phone box. Douglas creates absolutely zero. Sears 33 games without a goal. Mick. You have to take responsibility. You continue to pick the underperforming workhorses who have no creativity or skill whatsoever. Best Lawrence Grant Webster must all be thinking why the hell have I come here to play for a man whose ONLY thought for EVERY game is "how not to lose". It's embarrassing Mick and you stand there and say we were excellent. You now insult us all. Do everyone a favour and foxtrot oscar. Off you go pragmatic stick you're minus mark on that. Anyone with a brain cell Dan see that shambles was nowhere near good enough AGAIN !!! Unchanged for Derby? Probably 😡😩😭

30

Daleyitfc added 23:07 - Sep 9 Another excellent performance from our brave boys, led by the master tactician, especially where dynamic galvanising substitutions are concerned. The sight of Luke Varney trudging onto the field must frighten the life out of the opposition defence ; then there's the only footballer made out of feathers, Teddy Bishop. I'm really not going to watch this stuff anymore, even for free.

9

EssexTractor added 23:10 - Sep 9 Did the result of last years match scare our management so much? Did our management this year not realise that despite our woeful first half, so woeful that we hypnotised our opponents into a dull malaise, that we could have won this encounter? And what happens we lose after a ludicrous penalty area me lee, as others have said poor substituiions, poor tactics, indeed what happens on non playing days, is there training, do we have coaches....there are some half decent players ( yes half decent) but who inspires them to be totally decent? Who???

3

Spanishblueblood added 23:14 - Sep 9 What's most worrying is that I am falling out of love with the club that I have supported for 40 odd years, I am fed up with the bullsh*t we are constantly fed by the likes of Milne but most of all, I am fed up with the arrogant dinosaur that is Mick McCarthy, the man is a buffoon and I detest the guy, his sacking can't come quick enough for me!
19

81andallthat added 23:14 - Sep 9 Anyone want to find a price on my prediction for this season?? P 46 W 13 D15 L18 Gd-14 final position 18th, with at least one crowd of 13,700.. On a bright note.. it'd be my budgie dads 70th tomorrow..but he's six foot under with a blue & white wreath laying on his head!! Got to be marked up for that..XxxX
2

GiveusanI added 23:16 - Sep 9 Not much more to add to everything that's been said above. My first game of the season having been away. Was excited to be back to see the new improved Town. Nothing doing. Same old dull defensive dross. Really sad to say but there's no pleasure in watching that. More like bitter endurance. Not sure how much longer Town fans can endure MM's style of football.
5

essexbluey added 23:16 - Sep 9 What a load of dogs s@$t i'm sure evans is a NORWICH fan, i fear for us this season and if somethings not changed we may go down.
2

NoelTheDub added 23:18 - Sep 9 Said it over and over again our great club is crumbling so fast with this manager hes on a different planet to anybody else.His decision to field the same old cronies at the back and midfield is utter bonkers putting Brett up top on his own when clearly hes not that mobile is mind blowing.Leaving the new lads to rot on the bench and then tell us in a months time they did not prove themselves is a joke.That type of football we play should be banned its not for a football pitch,not 2 or 3 passes put together is embarrassing to say the least.We are in the gutter football wise and Mick has us there no excuses for those constant hoofs to one man,flat and slow midfield, no plan B and leaving young fresh legs with something to prove on the bench.Im so fed up with this garbage of there a good side and a bloody point will do well Mick thats bull talk and dont think town supporters are idiots anymore your ruining our club and at this moment i would take a defeat playing football for our futures sake enough said.

8

gibbo added 23:34 - Sep 9 Football is a simple game with simple rules, to win the game you have to score more goals then the other team, for some reason we have forgotten that because to score goals you have to shoot, for over 90 plus minutes we had two shots where the goalkeeper had to move to make a save and with the game at 1-1 are we really thinking of winning if so why the fudge did we bring on varney.

6

itfchorry added 23:40 - Sep 9 Taxi for - Gerken Chambers Skuse Slouglas Hyam Varney Coke Evans Milne MM Liz Edwards
10

Ipswich58 added 23:40 - Sep 9 Time for #MEXIT
7

StowTractorBoy added 23:54 - Sep 9 Sadly I did not expect us to win tonight as Reading is a graveyard for us and so it proved again. At the start of the season I also predicted we would finish mid table but after that very poor excuse of a football team we could well struggle to even achieve mid table mediocrity. I have been a MM fan but my goodness his team selection tonight with the players available and his tactics and substitutions were nothing short of ludicrous. Yes it could have been different if Smith had buried his chance but that would only have papered over the cracks. Chambers now has to go and I have been loyal towards him but enough is enough. Surely we now have to go 4-4-2 with some flair in midfield. Tonight Reading were there for the taking but we lacked the ambition and the creativity to take the game to them. Credit to the fans that travelled tonight who deserve a medal. If MM does not change his tactics soon our wonderful Club could soon be in ruins. As I say I have been a MM supporter up to now but tonight is proof that he will never change his ways. Sad days because I believe we have the makings of a decent team but only if the players are selected in their best positions. I am worried as no doubt are many others.

13

WindsorBlueArmy added 23:59 - Sep 9 Yet again right hand side targeted.In my day fullbacks were taught how to press attackers so ball went backwards or at least show the inside to prevent player getting to bye line.Is it really not in UEFA A or B coaching manual to press teams who are so one dimensional and void of ideas.Their back four were awful playing sideways and backwards with little or no football ability.No wonder the attendances at Reading are so poor!!!!!I seriously thought that at 1-1 introducing Bishop,Best,Lawrence for Pitman,Bru,Sears could have given us the impetus to move forward for at least 2-1.A really good turnout for a Friday night,followed up by serious traffic problems on M4.The joy of following ITFC around the country!!!!!!

2

GiveusaWave added 00:34 - Sep 10 Outstanding saves by Bialkowski, he kept us in the match for long periods. We didn't deserve a point from this game and on 90 I couldn't believe that we could be coming away with a point. That hope dashed. Sloppy defending which really needs to be sorted out, Chambers yet again targeted. Pittman and Sears both did well and ran their hearts out, but keystone cops defending at the back. Those two saves in the first half were beyond outstanding. Teams will make big offers for Bart in January if he continues to perform like that.

5

runaround added 00:39 - Sep 10 Every one will remember the 3 penalties all of which were soft in my opinion. I'm all for referees punishing holding at corners but they need to do it all the time which we know they won't. Defeat like that really hurts because after a poor first half I thought we were far better in the second half & should have won. A real kick in the guts especially with 2 tough matches to come. Douglas played well I thought tonight but I think I would prefer to see Grant & Lawrence in rather than Bru & Sears next match

3

martleshamitfc added 00:53 - Sep 10 I bet MM will pick the same team on Tuesday against derby!
7

bohslegend added 00:58 - Sep 10 Tale of two halves. Poor first half, better 2nd half by far. The opportunists back to the fore after a last minute kick in the b0ll0x from a very poor ref. Yes, Knudsen was grappling with him, and Yes he should have known better after the ref had warned Berra. But the ref chose the 93rd minute when Reading had a corner to interpret the rules like that. Throughout the rest of the game at both ends there were many examples of fouling in the box and by my reckoning the game could have finished 10 all if he had given them all. Without that last minute decision, that would have been an excellent away point.

-5

Surco72 added 01:01 - Sep 10 Least you got to watch a game Bohsleg....end
4

Knightsy added 01:33 - Sep 10 Garbage
5

MicksZzzTactics added 03:50 - Sep 10 Hmmm.... Hmmm.... Hmmm.... Hmmm.... "FIAT LUX, ET FACTA EST LUX!" :-) = = = = Omnis moene et hoof'ilium 'STUBBORNUSARUS-TERRIBILIS REX'.... numquam mutare in melius!!!
3

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 06:02 - Sep 10 Very disappointing. Couldn't see the match, but the radio suggested we chucked away at least one point, if not all three. For heaven's sake, let's use some of this new material we've got in. We won't progress if they're sitting on the bench.. Respect for the away fans . Hope you have more fun at Derby. COYB. Oh, and let 's get that RB from Tottenham (originally) in. Can't be worse than our current options. I like Chambo, but his place is not out wide.

0

BlueMachines added 06:42 - Sep 10 Bohslegend. Genuine question. What did you think of our style of play? How did Our midfield do? What's your opinion on our service to the strikers? Do you think Chambers played well? I'm interested to see how you see things as we normally totally disagree.
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