On-loan Saints striker Billy Sharp opened his account for his temporary club, Reading, last night as his side beat Charlton 1-0 at the Madjeski Stadium.

Sharp was bought in the January transfer window by Saints during the 2011/12 Championship promotion campaign for a rumoured £1.8m from Doncaster Rovers. He scored vital goals as Premier League football beckoned.

The most memorable goals came against fierce rivals Portsmouth as he bagged two in the 2-2 draw; his second seemed to be a winner in the 89th minute.

Since then, Sharp was shipped out on-loan to Nottingham Forest last season, where he scored ten goals before moving temporarily to Reading on an emergency loan in late September – linking up with former St Mary's boss Nigel Adkins.

He got off the mark in the 13th minute of last night’s match, in which the Royals maintain their home unbeaten record.