Hunt scored his sixth goal of the season against Derby

A Noel Hunt header and a Kevin Doyle brace maintained Reading's unbeaten home record and continued their push for promotion with victory over Derby.

Hunt took advantage of charitable defending in the 20th minute to head in brother Stephen's corner.

Doyle headed in Chris Armstrong's cross from close range in the 68th minute to double Reading's lead and then got his second with a beautiful angled drive.

Derby came close through Kris Commons but failed to get a shot on target.

Reading boss Steve Coppell:
"Derby had only been beaten once in 11 and they looked very solid to me on paper.

"We knew it would be a stiff test, and that is what it proved to be.

"The first goal came from nothing; it was a corner, but not one we have worked on.

"We knew we'd have to push on - and we did. The Kris Commons chance was critical - because if he'd scored that it might have been different. But from then on, we looked good."

"They are strong and quick - and once they got the second goal, they closed it off well.

"But you don't get chances like that away the one that fell to Kris Commons very often when you are away from home and when you get them have to take them."

Reading: Hahnemann, Armstrong, Ingimarsson, Bikey, Cisse (Matejovsky 78), Stephen Hunt, Harper (Gunnarsson 79), Rosenior, Kebe, Doyle, Noel Hunt (Long 69).
Subs Not Used: Henry, Andersen.

Goals: Noel Hunt 20, Doyle 68, 75.

Derby: Bywater, Connolly, Albrechtsen (Davis 53), Stewart, Addison, Green, Teale (Barazite 66), Commons, Nyatanga, Villa, Hulse (Ellington 76).
Subs Not Used: Carroll, Kazmierczak.

Att: 18,724

Ref: D Mattison (Leeds)

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