Reading 2-0 Norwich

Reading struck twice late on to beat Norwich and keep their promotion challenge on course.

Stephen Hunt scored from the spot to put Reading ahead after 83 minutes when Norwich captain Mark Fotheringham was adjudged to have handled.

Substitute Shane Long headed his first league goal of the season from James Henry's cross to seal the win.

Norwich had first-half chances, the best being when Matty Pattison headed Lee Croft's header wide.

Reading boss Steve Coppell:
"That is our third win this week at a busy time of the season when the games come thick and fast, but I am not thinking about it in terms of its importance come the end of the season.

"I am not comparing our season with Wolves and Birmingham's at the moment.

"I still think the middle third of the season establishes the home straight and we have just got to be in a contest with ourselves to get as many points as we can."

Norwich manager Glenn Roeder told BBC Radio Norfolk:

"I'm very angry, I'm sick and tired, and so are my players, of referees this year having a bigger influence on the result, by getting major decisions wrong, than anything else.

"Mark Fotheringham is clearly pushed in the back, then the ball rolls down his arm, how the referee cannot see that, or the linesman who gives the penalty, I do not know.

"It's not just happened here today, it happens every weekend, and because of it results of games are being changed."

Reading: Federici, Rosenior, Ingimarsson, Duberry, Armstrong, Matejovsky, Cisse (Henry 69), Harper (Gunnarsson 74), Stephen Hunt, Doyle, Noel Hunt (Long 80).
Subs Not Used: Kelly, McCarthy.

Booked: Harper.

Goals: Stephen Hunt 84 pen, Long 86.

Norwich: Marshall, Otsemobor, Doherty, Kennedy (Omozusi 89), Bertrand, Croft, Clingan, Pattison (Cort 54), Bell, Fotheringham, Russell.
Subs Not Used: Hoolahan, Lupoli, Nelson.

Booked: Bertrand.

Att: 19,382

Ref: Trevor Kettle (Rutland).