Cardiff City started their quest for a return trip to Wembley with an FA Cup third round win over Reading.
Ross McCormack put last season's beaten finalists in front on 57 minutes heading home from Roger Johnson.
And Joe Ledley wrapped up the win seven minutes from time slotting past the onrushing Adam Federici after a neat one-two with McCormack.
Bobby Convey, Leroy Lita and Shane Long all saw chances go begging for Reading before the deadlock was finally broken.
First, Convey was through on goal but lost his composure and sliced his shot.
And a minute after the break, Shane Long forced a point-blank save from Bluebirds keeper Peter Enckelman.
Lita was also denied by defender Gabor Gypes who cleared his effort off the line.
Cardiff did have claims for a penalty on 30 minutes turned down when Royals defender Andre Bikey appeared to have handled in the box.
But it did not matter as McCormack's 15th goal of season and Ledley's third strike ensured the win for Cardiff.
Cardiff manager Dave Jones: "It was a tough game for us and difficult underfoot as well.
"It was quite icy out there and the longer the game went on the goal areas were becoming harder.
"We knew Reading had a ploy where they would come out and we asked Roger (Johnson) to make his run late and we caught them.
"We thought Roger would shoot but he squared it and you can't be offside from there and a good little finish from the kid (McCormack).
"It (the second goal) was a great move, good football in the right area. We caught them cold. It was quick, decisive and a great finish off Joe (Ledley)."
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