SIMON Cox and Jamie Mackie were both on the scoresheet as Reading enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 victory over visiting Rotherham United.

Royals boss Nigel Adkins came in for criticism after dropping the pair for Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Blackburn, but they came up trumps after being restored to the line-up for last night’s game at the Madejski Stadium.

Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici was called into action early on, keeping out Matt Derbyshire’s header, but the hosts took the lead just before the half-hour, Mackie curling home his first goal for the club.

The Royals pushed for a second before the break, with Cox and Mackie both denied by Rotherham goalkeeper Adam Collin and Oliver Norwood hitting the crossbar from a free-kick.

Federici kept his side ahead by saving from Kari Arnason, but Cox struck twice in the space of nine second-half minutes to tie up the game.

Mackie set up the first with a powerful run, while a neat turn and shot saw Cox get his second of the night with 25 minutes to play.

Adkins said: “I hope Jamie and Simon have got the bit between their teeth now.

“Jamie’s been top drawer for us and he’s done tonight exactly what I told him last Friday he was going to do. In fact, we should have scored some more goals. Their ’keeper’s made some great saves and we created some great opportunities.”

The result leaves Reading 13th in the Championship table and they will be looking to make it three wins out of four when they host Charlton Athletic at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).