Bristol City 2-3 Reading: Royals record stunning comeback win

Yann Kermorgant fired an injury-time winner as Reading came back from two goals down to inflict a 3-2 Sky Bet Championship defeat on struggling Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

The striker beat City goalkeeper Frank Fielding with a low 25-yard drive with his right foot from outside the right corner of the box to enhance Reading's promotion prospects and make it nine defeats in 10 games for Lee Johnson's Robins.

The home side broke the deadlock in the 27th minute when Joe Bryan pounced on a poor clearance from Reading goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi to defender Paul McShane.

The midfielder's low drive from 25 yards was saved at full stretch by Al Habsi but he could only palm the ball into the path of Tammy Abraham who was left with a simple finish.

The Chelsea loanee was on target again from the penalty spot two minutes after the break, sending Al Habsi the wrong way with a low spot-kick after Tyler Blackett had brought down Callum O'Dowda. It was Abraham's 17th goal of the season.

But Reading got back into the game in the 72nd minute when Chris Gunter set up substitute Liam Kelly, who netted with a low right-footed shot from 12 yards as Aden Flint failed to close him down. Four minutes from time Kermorgant lashed home a right-footed equaliser from a similar distance after Kelly had supplied the cross, and his last-gasp winner provoked wild celebrations among 1,800 travelling Reading fans

City set up like the away side with Abraham a lone striker and a five-man midfield lying deep in front of the back four. The system frustrated Reading for much of the first half, while the home side caused problems on the break.

Chances were at a premium before Abraham's goal, with Danny Williams shooting wide for Reading and Bryan firing over from distance for City.

The visitors did start to threaten as the interval approached, with Kermorgant nodding narrowly wide before striking the crossbar with a more powerful header from Blackett's 43rd-minute cross.

Blackett looked favourite to win the ball when conceding the penalty as O'Dowda latched onto a Bryan pass and was substituted soon afterwards, with Jordan Obita going on as replacement.

Korey Smith almost made it 3-0 when breaking through a fragile Reading back line but Al Habsi blocked his close-range shot. Josh Brownhill then tested the Reading goalkeeper from distance after winning the ball in midfield.

Jaap Stam sent on his second substitute in the 66th minute with Kelly replacing John Swift. Soon afterwards Garath McCleary tested City goalkeeper Fielding with a low drive.

Kelly's goal roused Reading to pile on pressure. City head coach Johnson responded by sending on Aaron Wilbraham for Luke Freeman in a bit to help Abraham hold the ball up front, but the Royals were able to wear down the home side's resistance. 

Bristol City boss Lee Johnson:

"At the end of the game I didn't know whether to wring my players' necks or give them a cuddle. They probably deserved both.

"For 70 minutes they were excellent and carried out our game plan to perfection. To start with the crowd didn't understand that we felt Reading were a team we could hit on the break.

"I know they had a lot of possession but we hurt them and deservedly went two goals up. Their first goal changed everything because nerves then set in and we got deeper and deeper.

Reading boss Jaap Stam: 

"It is always extra special to win a game from two goals down and I am so pleased with the way my players stayed patient and stuck to the game plan.

"Yann (Kermorgant) deserves every goal he scores because he is a great player in so many ways. He's a great person and a driving force who sets an example to our young players. He is a terrific finisher and a fantastic player to have in our squad."