READING enjoyed their first win in three games as they beat Norwich City 2-1 in the Championship at Carrow Road.

Jake Cooper was the Royals’ hero with a brace of first-half goals.

It was the Canaries who opened the scoring as Gary Hooper turned in a Nathan Redmond cross after 10 minutes.

The Royals were level soon after, as Cooper headed home Oliver Norwood’s corner.

Reading’ Australian goalkeeper Adam Federici played the game with a cricket bat propped up behind his goal in memory of countryman Phillip Hughes and he produced a terrific save to tip Kyle Lafferty’s drive against the bar.

Reading then scored a second just before half-time, after Norwich’s goalkeeper John Ruddy failed to deal with Jordan Obita’s corner and Cooper nodded in his second.

After the break, Hooper and Michael Turner had chances to level, but Reading held on to win.

Royals’ manager Nigel Adkins said: “This was an excellent result against a side, who do not lose many at home.”

Reading’s next Championship game is against Bolton on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).