Defender Ibrahima Sonko scored his first goals in more than 18 months as Reading defeated Plymouth.

Sonko struck with a header from six yards following a Stephen Hunt cross before Royals keeper Marcus Hahnemann tipped over a Jamie Mackie cross.

Hunt and Sonko combined again as the Senegal defender scored another header.

Hahnemann saved from Rory Fallon before the Royals almost scored again but Graham Stack made an excellent save to deny Kalifa Cisse from 20 yards.

Reading boss Steve Coppell:
"It was good to see him out there and scoring goals.

"Sonko nearly didn't play today because of a knee injury. He only passed a fitness test before the game."

Plymouth boss Paul Sturrock:
"We have got one or two players who have yet to get settled in before I know what my strongest 11 is.

"My team is a group of waifs and strays at the moment.

"The killer was to go away from home and lose a goal as early as we did but we didn't crumble, kept at it and we had one or two chances late on."

Reading: Hahnemann, Rosenior, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Kebe, Convey (Kelly 85), Harper, Cisse, Stephen Hunt, Lita (Noel Hunt 89), Doyle (Long 76).
Subs Not Used: Pearce, Andersen.

Goals: Sonko 13, 50.

Plymouth: Stack, Duguid, Doumbe, Seip (Timar 86), Barker, Puncheon, Walton (McNamee 66), Summerfield, Clark, Fallon, Mackie (MacLean 66).
Subs Not Used: Easter, Paterson.

Att: 19,202

Ref: Richard Beeby (Northamptonshire).