READING moved a step closer to cementing their place in the Championship play-offs after a hard-fought victory over already relegated Rotherham United.

The visitors took an early lead when Tom Adeyemi got on the end of a rebounded save and steered the ball into the net from six yards.

Reading looked tired having won at Aston Villa just two days ago and struggled to create chances in the final third.

The Royals did get a goal back through loanee Lewis Grabban in the second-half, but it was John Swift who stole the headlines when he got on the end of a delightful passing move to seal all three points.

Stam made four changes to his Royals’ side following the emphatic 3-1 victory away at Aston Villa on Saturday.

Yakou Meite was handed his first start for the club while Garath McCleary, Roy Beerens and Yann Kermorgant all returned to the starting XI.

In a perhaps unexpected twist, Joseph Mendes did not make the squad despite his heroics at Villa Park while Lewis Grabban started on the bench.

Ali Al-Habsi was forced into an early save when Millers’ captain Danny Ward cut inside before hitting a powerful shot. The Omani stopper was alert however and saved well down to his right.

Liam Moore then had his heart in his mouth when he sliced a clearance from a Ward cross, luckily Al-Habsi was alert to make a save and spare Moore’s blushes.

Reading dominated possession in the opening 10 minutes but struggled to create a clear-cut opportunity. Jordan Obita tried a stunning volley from range but his effort sailed well-wide of the post.

But it was the hosts who took the lead after a clever back-heel released Ward down the left-hand-side. Ward’s cross was met by Carlton Morris who in-turn forced Al-Habsi to make a smart save, however the rebound fell straight to Tom Adeyemi who made no mistake from six-yards.

Meite nearly replied almost immediately for the Royals with a clever touch and spin but his shot sailed wide of Richard O’Donnell’s post.

Royals continued to keep hold of the ball but sloppy passing in the final third meant a lack of opportunities on goal.

John Swift finally unlocked the Millers’ back line with a deft through ball to Roy Beerens but the Dutchman’s tame cross was easily cleared.

Reading should have made it 1-1 when Meite’s shot was well saved by O’Donnell. Swift and Kermorgant both charged in for the rebound but it was well-cleared with the goalmouth gaping.

Meite nearly scored a wonder goal just seconds later when his deep cross nearly duped O’Donnell. The keeper managed to get a fingertip on the ball - which looked destined for the back of the net - and clear it for a corner.

Chris Gunter then flashed a delightful cross across the face of the goal with 40 minutes played, Meite came closest but could not quite tap the ball into the back of the net.

Deep into stoppage time at the end of the first-half Liam Moore was presented with a stellar opportunity to finally level the scoreline, but his scuffed shot was headed off the line.

Clearly unhappy with the first-half display, Stam threw on Liam Kelly for the second-half to replace Yakou Meite.

Royals continued to dominate the ball but again lacked any cutting edge in their creation. Chris Gunter’s fizzed cross was nearly met by Roy Beerens inside the box but the winger missed the ball and instead kicked the air.

A clever flicked header from full-back Jordan Obita nearly crept into the bottom corner with 59 minutes played but O’Donnell made yet another smart save to keep the visitors ahead.

Reading started to up the gears and a deep cross by McCleary was headed towards goal by top-scorer Kermorgant, but a defiant O’Donnell looked determined not to be beaten once again.

Lewis Grabban was thrown on to bolster the Royals’ attack and made an immediate impact when his fierce volley crashed into the back of the net to level the scores.

It was a wonderful delivery from McCleary and Grabban adjusted his body well before thumping a right-footed volley past the helpless O’Donnell.

Kermorgant could and perhaps should have put Reading ahead when he got on the end of a Chris Gunter cross with 72 minutes played, but he could only direct his effort straight into the goalkeeper’s gloves.

But the Royals finally took the lead when Danny Williams fed a delightful pass into the path of the on-rushing Gunter.

The Welshman took a touch before squaring the ball back across goal for Swift, who could make no mistake from six-yards-out.

The visitors struggled to deal with Kelly’s range of passing and the young midfielder did brilliantly to find McCleary on the right with 85 minutes played.

The Jamaican international played another sensational cross into the box and Grabban should have doubled his tally but instead fluffed his shot straight at O’Donnell.

Danny Williams nearly added a third in stoppage time when he fired at goal from all of 25-yards but O’Donnell got his palm to the ball and pushed it away for a corner.

Reading held on and leapfrogged Huddersfield into third place, however the Terriers have two games in hand.

The Royals are away at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.