City beaten but unbowed

City's 100% record at the Madejski Stadium finally ended on Saturday but as at Leeds a few weeks ago, the Sky Blues battled to the end, and with a bit more luck could have surprised the Championship leaders.

Reading had the majority of the play, as befits their lofty league position, but they could not find a way past the City defence in the first 45 minutes.

Ady Williams and Richard Shaw continued where they had left off against Wolves and Brighton and were well-backed up by their team-mates.

Gallingly for boss Micky Adams, his half-time team talk probably went out of the window as the predatory Dave Kitson opened the scoring within seconds of the re-start but his side responded well, with Reading keeper Hahnemann showing his international class with some excellent saves.

Kitson's second wrapped the game up but as Adams said afterwards, City will win more than they lose if they continue to play like this.

Reading manager Steve Coppell also praised the Sky Blues display, saying: 'Our goalkeeper was the biggest factor in our victory.

'He made four top-quality saves and they also hit the woodwork.'

Two important home games in a row next for the Sky Blues. A win over Derby next week would allow them to go into the FA Cup tie against Middlesbrough or Nuneaton in a positive frame of mind.

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