Reading 0-1 Nottm Forest

Reading's promotion hopes suffered a blow as they slipped to a surprise home defeat against Nottingham Forest.

The hosts had the better chances, with Jimmy Kebe volleying wide, Brynjar Gunnarsson heading over and Kevin Doyle and Stephen Hunt wasting opportunities.

Forest gradually improved and Robert Earnshaw shot over before Adam Federici made a fine save from Chris Cohen.

Lewis McGugan won it for Forest when he drove into the box, foxed Michael Duberry and fired past Federici.

Reading boss Steve Coppell:
"It was frustrating and ultimately very disappointing.

"It the first half we played really well and there was a buzz in the dressing-room, but as soon as we re-started we just weren't as fluent.

"At 1-0 down we tried to get as many goalscorers on as possible but Forest clogged us up and slowed us down."

Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies:
"It is a fantastic result and a great performance in the second half and we thoroughly deserved the three points.

"The players showed big courage and great determination and showed that we can compete.

"Early on we showed nervousness and a lack of confidence, we are causing ourselves problems by being naive at times."

Reading: Federici, Rosenior, Duberry, Pearce, Armstrong (Lita 76), Kebe (Tabb 60), Matejovsky, Gunnarsson (Cisse 77), Stephen Hunt, Doyle, Noel Hunt.
Subs Not Used: Hahnemann, Harper.

Booked: Pearce.

Nottm Forest: Smith, Wilson, Chambers, Morgan, Lynch, McGugan (Thornhill 82), Moussi, Cohen, Anderson, Tyson (McCleary 30), Earnshaw (Breckin 86).
Subs Not Used: Gamble, Heath.

Booked: Earnshaw, Morgan.

Goals: McGugan 61.

Att: 21,196.

Ref: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire).