READING booked their place in second round of the League Cup, thanks to a 3-1 win over visiting League Two side Newport County on Tuesday night.

The Welsh visitors opened brightly, but it was the Royals who took the lead, as Pavel Pogrebnyak beat the offside trap and scored with a lovely chip.

Nick Blackman with an excellent individual strike doubled Reading’s advantage with three minutes to go, but Shaun Jeffers’ header for Newport set up a tense finale.

This was ended as Craig Tanner drilled home his debut goal, to make sure the Royals are in the hat for the second round draw today.

Reading return to Championship action, when they entertain Ipswich, at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).