YANN Kermorgant grabbed his first goal of the season as Reading snatched a late victory at Cardiff City.

The Frenchman opened his Championship account with a quality strike in the 89th minute to snatch all three points in South Wales.

In truth, Jaap Stam's visitors just about had the edge on the day as they ended a run of back-to-back away defeats with their first away win on the road.

Cardiff had benefitted from a lucky break in the first half when referee Andy Woolmer took no action againt Lee Peltier when he appeared to pull Roy Beerens' shirt with the Dutchman bearing down on goal.

Nevertheless, Royals displayed plenty of guts, spirit and determination to secure the victory against resillient opponents.

Stam shuffled his pack again as he looked to end a run of three league games without a win.

Tyler Blackett, signed from Manchester United in the week, was given the nod ahead of Jordan Obita.

Liam Moore also made a league debut while Joey van den Berg returned to the side after sitting out Tuesday's EFL Cup second round win through suspension following his red card against Brighton in last Saturday's 2-2 draw.

Elsehwere, John Swift was named on the bench and fellow summer signing Roy Beerens was also in a starting XI without a single Academy player in it.

Meanwhile, former Royals striker Adam Le Fondre was among the Cardiff City substitutes, while Ben Wilson made his league debut in goal.

Royals started brightly with Beerens and Kermorgant threatening, and Bluebirds looking vulnerable.

But Paul Trollope's men quickly regrouped and pressed for an opener in the 13th minute when a Jazz Richards long-ranger was unconvincingly punched out for a corner by Ali Al Habsi.

Cardiff kept up the pressure only for Lex Immers to spurn an excellent chance when he headed over from Anthony Pilkington's pin-point cross.

Then Al Habsi was called into action with 17 minutes gone, parrying an effort from Pilkington. And from Peter Whitingham's subsequent flag-kick, Royals' stopper held Matthew Connolly's header to keep Reading on level terms.

But having weathered that storm, the visitors saw a strong penalty appeal turned down in the 29th minute when Peltier, who was the last man, appeared to pull Beerens' jersey as he chased George Evans' through-ball.

Beerens would have been clean through and on goal, but Woolmer waved play on.

Peltier, who arguably escaped a red card, was taken off two minutes later after sustaining an earlier injury and replaced by Bruno Manga.

Royals shook off the disappointment and went close again with 34 minutes gone, this time Aaron Gunnarsson blocking Kermorgant's shot on the line from a Garath McCleary corner.

Then Gunnarsson was prominent at the other end, picking out Immers with a superb ball, only for the City striker to miss the target with a close-range header.

The theme continued after the break when former Royals defender Sean Morrison put a header wide from Whittingham's corner after a vital block by Chris Gunter had knocked Joe Ralls' shot off line.

Royals were equally culpable just after the hour when Beerens somehow scuffed his shot from eight yards with the goal at his mercy allowing Bluebirds to clear their lines.

The visitors continued to push forward as van den Berg's drive was blocked in front of the Cardiff goal before Danny Williams screwed one wide from the edge of the box from van den Berg's flick.

Then with a quarter of an hour to go they butchered an overlap when McCleary overhit the final pass to Quinn.

Whittingham looped a free-kick over Al Habsi's bar at the other end, but Reading almost broke the deadlock on 81 minutes when Kermorgant headed inches wide from McCleary's corner after Beerens' initial shot had deflected behind.

Then, just as the match was heading for stalemate, Royals grabbed an 89th minute winner.

Obita, who replaced Blackett moments earlier, whipped in a teasing cross, Kermorgant controlled with his left then arrowed a shot past Wilson from 16 yards.

It was a super finish worthy of winning any match and a huge relief for the Frenchman, who has stuggled for goals this season.

And Stam will have left South Wales a happy man after his first away victory this season.

Reading are next in action on Friday September 9 when Ipswich are the visitors.