 Reading's James Harper claimed a fine brace at Cardiff |
Champions Reading remain on course to beat Sunderland's record Championship points total of 105 after holding off Cardiff at Ninian Park on Saturday. James Harper diverted in a cross to set the Royals on their way, before a Dave Kitson left-foot strike and a Glenn Loovens own goal gave them a 3-0 lead.
Cameron Jerome and Paul Parry, with his head, converted Jason Koumas crosses to pull Cardiff back to 3-2.
But Kevin Doyle's 87th-minute header and Harper's second put Reading clear.
Cardiff manager Dave Jones:
"We don't want a good season to fizzle out and it is up to the players to hold on to our position.
"It could have been a respectable defeat if you take away the mistakes and it is all the more disappointing after pulling it back to 3-2.
"Darren Purse had a nightmare out there this afternoon but that's his first poor game all season."
Reading manager Steve Coppell:
"At 3-0 we had the game won but to Cardiff's credit they fought back and we needed to raise a gear.
"Fortunately my players are a good bunch of lads and they did just that, but although it looked a comfortable win it was far from it.
"It is strange when you reach your target with five or six games left as you wonder how the players will react."
Cardiff: Alexander, Ardley, Purse, Loovens, Scimeca, Koumas, Boland, Ledley, Cooper (Parry 65), Thompson, Jerome.
Subs Not Used: Barker, Whitley, Cox, Ndumbu-Nsungu.
Booked: Purse.
Goals: Jerome 67, Parry 80.
Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Oster (Gunnarsson 89), Sidwell, Harper, Convey (Hunt 75), Kitson (Long 68), Doyle.
Subs Not Used: Stack, Makin.
Goals: Harper 10, Kitson 39, Loovens 52 og, Doyle 87, Harper 90.
Att: 11,866.
Ref: A Leake (Lancashire).
MMIX
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