READING made it four straight Championship victories and clean sheets with a comprehensive victory against Burton Albion to move up to third in the table.

A first Royals goal for league debutant Dominic Samuel in the 22nd minute, another from Danny Williams seven minutes later and a 77th minute John Brayford own goal secured all three points from Jaap Stam's in-form men.

The visitors had been searching for a first win on their travels in the Championship, but there was no hope of that happening here.

Nigel Clough's side did create a number of openings, but their back four struggled to cope with Reading's superior pace and guile from the very first whistle.

And no-one ran them more ragged than 22-year-old Academy graduate Samuel on an outstanding full league debut.

Royals fans have been desperate to see Samuel start for a number of weeks. And on this evidence Stam will find it difficult to leave him out, even when Yann Kermorgant recovers form the training-ground knock that ruled him out of today's game.

Samuel was one of three changes from the side that won 3-0 at Wigan Athletic before the international break.

With John Swift sidelined for several weeks with ankle ligament damage sustained on England Under 21 duty, Roy Beerens was recalled in midfield.

The other change saw Jordan Obita recalled in a 3-6-1 formation with Callum Harriott the player to miss out.

Stam's thinking would have undoubtedly been influenced by Burton's standard 3-5-2 formation.

The visitors were seeking a first away win in the Championship and started with Stuart Beavon, son of ex-Reading legend and namesake, up front.

The Brewers created the first decent chance when Jackson Irvine headed narrowly over from a left-wing cross in the fifth minute.

But a minute later Reading went even closer when Samuel went clean through from Paul McShane's pass but could only fire into the side netting.

Burton hit back following a lull in play and almost broke the deadlock in the 16th minute when a Chris O'Grady header was nodded off the line by Danny Williams before Beavon's follow-up shot was blocked.

But it was Reading who finally made the breakthrough midway through the first half.

Beerens wriggled into the Albion box and though he dragged his shot wide of the target, Samuel gambled and steered the ball into the opposite corner with a smart finish.

A chorus of 'He's one of our own' immediately erupted from the East Stand supporters delighted to see the former Academy striker's name on the scorersheet.

And seven minutes later Royals punished more sloppy defending from the visitors by doubling their lead.

Garath McCleary seized possession before finding Obita who picked out Williams' run with a perfect cross, presenting the USA international with a tap-in from close range.

Once again, no Burton defender had tracked Reading's runners as they piled forward in support.

Yet the Brewers almost pulled one back three minutes later when the ball stuck under O'Grady's feet in the six yard box from Lloyd Dyer's centre allowing Ali Al Habsi to recover.

Even though Burton carved out a number of chances, Reading always looked the more dangerous going forward.

They threatened a third in the 37th minute when McShane's free header from McCleary's flag-kick was well saved by Jon McLaughlin.

And a minute later Royals' strong penalty appeals were waved away by referee Keith Stroud when the pacy Samuel was sent crashing to the turf after a challenge from visiting skipper John Mousinho.

Stam was fuming with the decision, earning himself a ticking off from Stroud.

Even so, his side remained on the front foot and the half-time whistle couldn't come soon enough for beleaguered Burton.

They were lucky to escape again five minutes after the restart when Obita whipped in a perfect cross from the left, but the unmarked McCleary could only volley over from eight yards out.

Al Habsi made a routine save from Irvine two minutes later, but moments later Royals almost scored again when Samuel raced into the box and picked out McCleary's run, but Royals' winger missed the target when he should have done better.

Reading were in cruise mode allowing Stam to being off Samuel midway through the second half, with his job already done.

That paved the way for only a third Royals appearance for Yakou Meite following his recovery from a long-term ankle injury.

Brewers attempted to haul themselves back into the game, but Matty Palmer's powerful drive smacked into the hoardings.

Then Will Miller stung Al Habsi's hands with 15 minutes to go as Reading began to take their foot off the gas.

But hopes of a comeback were quickly killed off by a third Royals goal 13 minutes from the end.

Meite's quick feet took him clear of a defender and although his fierce strike was saved by McLaughlin, the ball hit Brayford and bounced into the net.

The goal summed up Burton's day, while also confirming Royals as genuine promotion contenders as they moved up one place to third in the table following Huddersfield's defeat to Cardiff City.

Reading are back at Madejski Stadium on Saturday (3pm) when they host Bristol City.