Debutant Jonathan Stead inspired Ipswich to victory over Reading.

Ipswich almost took the lead when Pablo Counago headed against the underside of the bar and he hit the bar again after the break with a hooked shot.

But Stead, on loan from Sheffield United, broke the deadlock with a stunning 20-yard shot on 63 minutes.

A Jonathan Walters header from Alan Quinn's cross made it 2-0 before Moritz Volz cleared off the line and Noel Hunt headed against the bar in injury time.

Ipswich boss Jim Magilton:

"I thought we played very well but probably rode our luck a bit a times.

"All in all, I think we showed great resolve and great character and deserved to win the game."

Reading boss Steve Coppell rued a ninth-minute miss from winger Jimmy Kebe:
"It makes a big difference. The team that scores first more often than not normally goes on to win.

"As it was, we still had opportunities in the first half, as did they.

"The first goal at that stage was going to be decisive."

Ipswich: Richard Wright, David Wright, McAuley (Balkestein 26), Naylor, Volz, Walters, Miller, Garvan, Quinn, Stead (Lisbie 75), Counago (Campo 87).
Subs Not Used: Supple, Haynes.

Booked: Garvan.

Goals: Stead 63, Walters 86.

Reading: Hahnemann, Rosenior, Ingimarsson, Pearce, Armstrong (Convey 75), Harper, Karacan (Bikey 80), Kebe, Stephen Hunt, Doyle, Long (Noel Hunt 60).
Subs Not Used: Federici, Kelly.

Booked: Karacan, Stephen Hunt.

Att: 21,366

Ref: Keith Hill (Hertfordshire).