Charlton 0-1 Reading: Instant Reaction

Reading came into the game having made four changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Huddersfield last weekend. Kaspars Gorkss, Danny Guthrie, Adam Le Fondre and Royston Drenthe came in for Sean Morrison, Michael Hector, Hal Robson-Kanu and Garath McCleary.

The first half was a fairly dull affair, neither side really looking overly threatening on what was an awful surface for both sides at the Valley. Former Reading keeper Ben Hamer had a couple of nervous moments with crosses but aside from that it was hardly a 45 minutes to remember.

Into the second period and Reading came out with far more energy and enthusiasm, moving the ball around quicker and looking like a team that realised they needed to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.

That energy level led to chances for Pavel Pogrebnyak and Adam Le Fondre but neither could beat Hamer in the Charlton net.

Thankfully, Danny Williams stepped up to the plate who got on to the end of a Guthrie pass to smash the ball into the top corner and send the Reading fans wild. Williams was booked for running over to join the fans in celebration but it really didn't matter as Reading held on for a vital win.

As mentioned we'll have a far more in depth report and player ratings later on but for now it's time to savour a win that with results elsewhere sees Reading five points clear of seventh place with just 18 points left to play for.

Next up is a trip to Bournemouth who are one of four sides five points behind us but a win and you'd fancy Reading to reduce it to at least a four horse race with five to play.