Nottingham Forest bounced back from two successive league defeats with victory against Reading.

David Johnson set Forest on their way, with Marlon Harewood adding the second for the City Ground side.

Jack Lester was sent-off for the home side but it had little impact on the result.

Reading's defence was breached inside the first five minutes as Johnson took his tally to 21 for the season.

He latched onto a through ball from Gareth Williams, cut inside the full-back and slammed the ball into the bottom corner.

The visitors almost hauled themselves level in the 13th minute, but midfielder Andy Hughes sent a weak header over the crossbar from six yards.

Deserved second

John Salako forced Forest keeper Darren Ward into his first save of the afternoon after 40 minutes from a curling free-kick.

But it was the home side who should have doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time.

Harewood connected sweetly with Riccardo Scimeca's cross - but his fierce drive was parried by Royals keeper Marcus Hahnemann.

There was early drama at the start of the second half when Lester saw a close-range shot blocked by defender Adrian Williams.

And, from the breakaway, Tyson crossed for Tony Rougier who headed over.

There was end-to-end action and Johnson had Hahnemann scrambling to keep out a powerful drive from the edge of the box on the hour.

But Forest finally got the second goal their pressure deserved after 68 minutes.

Harewood beat his marker, went round the goalkeeper with ease and slotted the ball into the empty net for his seventh goal of the season.

Lester's dismissal for a late lunge on Sammy Igoe ended their aspirations of a third goal, with Reading substitute Jamie Cureton coming close to netting a consolation at the death.

Nottm Forest: Ward, Louis-Jean, Dawson, Hjelde, Brennan, Williams, Scimeca, Lester, Reid, Johnson, Harewood. Subs: Jess, Roche, Bopp, Thompson, Doig.

Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Mackie, Williams, Shorey, Rougier, Watson, Harper, Salako, Forster, Hughes. Subs: Cureton, Igoe, Tyson, Newman, Ashdown.

Referee: M Cowburn (Lancashire)