Reading 2-1 Nottingham Forest: Royals' unbeaten run continues

Reading stretched their unbeaten home run in the Championship this year to eight matches with a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest.

Forest went in front through Ben Osborn just before half-time, but Reading struck twice after the break.

Matej Vydra got a touch to a long-range Oliver Norwood attempt then, nine minutes from the end, Norwood rattled home a powerful effort from 20 yards.

Neither side had been in any sort of form and had little to fight for as the season draws to a close.

Reading won 1-0 at basement club Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, their first victory in six matches, after winning only three of 13 Championship games.

Forest had failed to register a victory in four attempts, the last three of which were under the guidance of manager Paul Williams, who replaced the sacked Dougie Freedman last month.

A 3-0 home defeat against Brentford on Saturday did not augur well for Forest, but they began brightly at the Madejski Stadium.

Dexter Blackstock freed captain Henri Lansbury but, as the home defence dithered, Reading goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi smothered Lansbury's shot.

Reading responded swiftly through Yann Kermorgant. Jordan Obita crossed from the left and Kermorgant met it with a firm header that appeared to be going in.

Much to Forest's relief, former Reading defender Matt Mills then popped up on the goal-line to make a last-ditch clearance.

Kermorgant had another go with another header, again from an Obita centre, but Forest 'keeper Dorus de Vries made an excellent save.

Forest survived and patiently worked their way back into the game. Al-Habsi had to be alert to keep out a 30-yard piledriver from Osborn.

Four minutes before the break, Forest poached the lead against the run of play.

Lansbury released Osborn in the home area and he comfortably beat Al-Habsi with an angled cross-shot.

Reading dominated the start of the second half but after a goalmouth scramble, following a Stephen Quinn corner, De Vries gratefully gathered the loose ball.

Kermorgant then sent in a towering header from a Gunter cross that narrowly missed De Vries' left-hand post.

Osborn almost grabbed a second goal, on a rare Forest break, but Al-Habsi did well to parry his well-struck 20-yard effort.

Reading upped the pressure, with Kermorgant again nodding wide, but they were finally rewarded with an equaliser in the 68th minute.

Substitute Vydra, who had been on the pitch only seven minutes, deflected home a fierce drive from Norwood from close range.

Despite Forest protests for offside, the goal stood - Vydra's ninth of the season but first in the league since Reading's 3-1 defeat at Forest on November 28.

Reading then secured back-to-back wins in the 81st minute. Norwood picked up a loose ball wide out, but unerringly fired past De Vries via the far upright.