A stooping header from Kelvin Ehibhatiomahan midway through the second half was sufficient to secure a well-deserved first win in five matches and lift the Royals into sixteenth place in the table. It was hardly a must win game, but after a series of three draws and a narrow away defeat to league leaders Cardiff at the weekend, fans were becoming restless at the prospect of another dominant performance without securing the much-needed points to lift their team out of the bottom three. The lively Lane provided the crucial assist whipping in an early pacy cross for Ehibhatiomhan re-direct his header past Fitzsimons.

Fitzsimons made three excellent first half saves to prevent Reading from taking the lead before half time. Lewis Wing let fly with a typically fierce dipping and swerving strike from outside the box which the Cobblers 'keeper had to be really focused to beat away, and O'Connor's powerful header from a Savage cross required a full stretch save. Kyerewaa replaced the injured Ritchie just before half time and tested him with another well stuck effort from the edge twenty yards.

However, the best chance of the half fell to Town when Wheatley's deft first touch left him with only Stevens to beat from inside the box. Stevens received congratulations from grateful defenders for coming off his line to get the faintest of touches to deflect the ball over the bar, but Wheatly surely would have felt he should have done better. It turned out to be the only attempt on target for Town, who lacked imagination and a cutting edge in the attacking third. There was always a nagging doubt that the visitors might consign Reading to yet another draw, but evident resilience and determination enabled Hunt's team to see out the final phase of the game including a surprisingly brief three minutes of stoppage time. Crucially Reading continued to press forward at every opportunity, preventing Town from mounting any sustained pressure on their back line.

Dorsett replaced Wiliams for the last fifteen minutes, probably a precaution after Williams had talked his way into receiving a yellow card for protesting a little too strongly at being penalised for hand ball just outside the box. Elliot was also replaced, coming off for Doyle, after playing extremely well in the first half, finding space, and picking out some shrewd and penetrative passes. He also commendably was getting into the penalty area to attack some of the numerous crosses.

Ehibhatiomahan had the task of replacing the free-scoring Marriott and he worked hard and got the crucial goal. He certainly has significantly improved his ability in the air, taking advantage of his height to win a high percentage of long balls played forward to him. Reading have played some really good football this season and this result is encouraging not least because of the clean sheet (only the second of the season). Steve Coppell once commented you usually need to wait until December before you have a good about what kind of season you were likely to have. November will be a significant month.

John Wells