Royals march on
By Mark Buckingham. Last Updated: January 1, 1970 1:00am
Reading sit pretty at the top of The Championship, but were fortunate to run out 3-0 winners at home to Luton Town.
Goals from Steve Sidwell, Dave Kitson and Kevin Doyle maintained The Royals' promotion push, although the scoreline was a lopsided reflection of the game.
Marlon Beresford made a fine early save from Sidwell before Leroy Lita passed up a presentable chance for Reading to open the scoring.
Luton rallied in the closing 10 minutes of the first half as Rowan Vine thumped a volley straight at Marcus Hahnemann.
Just before the break, Reading nosed ahead when Sidwell let rip from 30 yards, but his shot took a noticeable deflection off Paul Underwood en route to the goal.
Hahnemann made another important stop early in the second half - from Dean Morgan's header - and then saved from Russell Perrett, with Carlos Edwards lashing the rebound off target.
The Hatters' profligacy returned to haunt them on 62 minutes when Kitson capitalised on slack defending to head home from close range.
Reading wrapped up the success two minutes from the finish when Glen Little whipped in the ball for Doyle to head past an exposed Beresford.
Matches
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npower Championship
Table
npower Championship
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiff City | 46 | 87 |
| 2 | Hull City | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Watford | 46 | 77 |
| 4 | Brighton and Hove Albion | 46 | 75 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace | 46 | 72 |
| 6 | Leicester City | 46 | 68 |
| 7 | Bolton Wanderers | 46 | 68 |
| 8 | Nottingham Forest | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Charlton Athletic | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Derby County | 46 | 61 |
| 11 | Burnley | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Birmingham City | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Leeds United | 46 | 61 |
| 14 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Blackpool | 46 | 59 |
| 16 | Middlesbrough | 46 | 59 |
| 17 | Blackburn Rovers | 46 | 58 |
| 18 | Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | 58 |
| 19 | Huddersfield Town | 46 | 58 |
| 20 | Millwall | 46 | 56 |
| 21 | Barnsley | 46 | 55 |
| 22 | Peterborough United | 46 | 54 |
| 23 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Bristol City | 46 | 41 |
Dave Kitson
Steve Sidwell
Kevin Doyle
