TWO second half goals from Nick Blackman and Garath McCleary saw Reading come from behind to beat Portsmouth 2-1 in their Capital One Cup second round tie at Fratton Park.

In an even opening an eighth-minute cross just evaded Portsmouth’s Jayden Stockley before soon after Royals’ Simon Cox’s shot was deflected wide soon after.

Conor Chaplin then served notice of his danger with a 25-yarder which Reading’s goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi smothered.

The home side should have scored after 27 minutes, but Stockley somehow fired wide from close range after excellent work from Bennett.

Pompey’s Paul Jones immediately did well to keep the scores level moments later, as he smothered Hal Robson-Kanu’s shot.

The home side took the lead after 40 minutes as Chaplin slotted home from a tight angle after a mix-up between Al-Habsi and Royals captain Michael Hector following Danny Hollands’ long ball.

Chaplin had a chance to double the advantage four minutes after the restart, but he curled his shot wide.

Reading equalised thanks to a great solo strike from Blackman after 65 minutes and then sub McCleary scored the winner six minutes from time as he latched onto a ball from Stephen Quinn.

The reward for Reading is a home tie in round three against either Barnsley or Everton, which will be played in the week beginning September 21.

The Royals return to Championship action this weekend, where they are 19th in the table, and face a trip to Brentford who are five places above them.