Norwich secured their second away win of the season to put them third in the Division One table after a comfortable victory at the Madejski Stadium.

Paul McVeigh's seventh goal of the season put them on their way before Phil Mulryne doubled the lead with his fourth of the campaign and, to make matters worse for the hosts, skipper John Mackie was sent off just before the break after being shown a second yellow card.

The visitors made the best possible start as they scored twice within the first five minutes.

McVeigh opened the scoring when he side-footed the ball home at the far post following Iwan Roberts' excellent low cross from the right.

Mulryne then doubled the advantage as he curled the ball into the top corner of the net from just outside the area after good build-up play involving McVeigh.

Reading, who have failed to win in their last three games in all competitions, continued to struggle with on-loan defender Matthew Upson booked for a foul on Roberts after 10 minutes.

The hosts made three changes to the side defeated by Wimbledon at the weekend with Tony Rougier, Upson and Graeme Murty coming in for Ricky Newman, Martin Butler and Nicky Shorey.

Nigel Worthington made one change with the injured Alex Notman being replaced by Darel Russell and they almost added a third after 13 minutes when Mulryne curled a free-kick just over the crossbar after a foul by Mackie on McVeigh which resulted in a yellow card for the defender.

Rougier had Reading's first chance when he turned his marker but, from a tight angle, thrashed his shot across the face of the goal.

Roberts had a header saved by Marcus Hahnemann just after the half hour as Norwich continued to look dangerous while Jamie Cureton lashed a right-foot shot over the top at the other end.

Rougier, who looked Reading's most potent weapon, watched a header scoot just past the post following Andy Hughes' cross after 35 minutes.

But Mackie was then dismissed for another reckless challenge on McVeigh.

Rougier had a shot blocked by Steen Nedergaard just a minute after the restart before Cureton drilled a shot wide from 18 yards.

The Canaries continued to look relatively comfortable as they soaked up the pressure and Russell was replaced by Neil Emblen after 62 minutes.

Rougier was booked for a foul on Adam Drury as the home side's frustrations grew and Emblen's right-foot shot was blocked by Murty as time began to run out.

Roberts should have made it three in the closing stages but dragged his shot wide when clear in the area.

Reading: Hahnemann, Mackie, Williams, Upson, Murty, Rougier, Hughes, Igoe, Watson, Salako, Cureton. Subs: Forster, Parkinson, Tyson, Newman, Young.

Norwich: Green, Kenton, Drury, Mackay, Nedergaard, Mulryne, Holt, Russell, Heckingbottom, Roberts, McVeigh. Subs: Nielsen, Llewellyn, Emblen, Easton, Crichton.

Referee: S Bennett (Kent)