DENISS Rakels came off the bench to score an injury-time winner for Reading FC in a nailbiting 4-3 victory at rock-bottom Charlton Athletic.

The Latvia striker was thrown on in the 89th minute as Brian McDermott searched for a fourth goal after his side had blown a 3-1 lead at The Valley.

And moments later Rakels duly obliged with a smart finish from Jordan Obita's cross for his first goal in Royals colours.

It also sealed Reading's first away win in the league since they beat Burnley 2-1 in late September.

As welcome as the away victory was for McDermott, there was plenty of sympathy for Charlton who look dooomed for relegation.

It was ex-Addicks frontman Yann Kermorgant who added to their plight by scoring twice against his former club.

They were also Kermorgant's first goals for Reading and he refused to celebrate them out of respect, a decision applauded by Addicks fans.

Ola John was also on target for McDermott's men after Yaya Sanogo had made it 1-1 two minutes after Kermorgant's opener.

Sanogo scored two more after the break to complete his hat-trick and make it 3-3, only for Rakels to break Addicks hearts and send more than 3,000 travelling fans into raptures.

McDermott kept faith with the same starting XI that beat Rotherham 1-0 on Tuesday, while fit-again Danny Williams returned to the bench.

Addicks, however, made five changes to their side as boss Jose Riga searched for only a second win in 18 outings.

They were under the cosh from the first whistle and only a brilliant save from Stephen Henderson prevented Reading from scoring in the third minute when he tipped Stephen Quinn's effort onto the bar.

Then from Oliver Norwood's corner, Michel Hector headed over when he should have hit the target.

But Royals did go ahead in the fourth minute thanks to Kermorgant's first for the club.

John put the Addicks defence under pressure before whipping a cross to the back post for Kermorgant to head past Henderson for his first for the Royals.

Yet the lead lasted barely two minutes. John lost possession too easily and Addicks attacked before Sanogo slammed a fierce drive past Ali Al Habsi for 1-1.

It was a poor goal to concede so soon after scoring themselves, and Charlton continued to look more of a threat as the half wore on.

They went close to taking the lead when Sanogo's effort produced a vital save from Al Habsi following a strong run from Johann Berg Gudmundsson.

It was an open contest and chances continued at both ends, with Kermorgant heading past Henderson only for Simon Makienok to clear off the line.

Then the lively Gudmundsson tested Al Habsi with another decent effort that the Oman stopper was equal to.

But Royals got their noses back in front 10 minutes before the break with a wonderful goal.

Norwood won possession in the middle before finding Hal Robson-Kanu who gave it to Kermorgant.

With plenty left to do, the Frenchman curled a delicious effort around Henderson and into the top corner for his second of the day.

As inventive as Charlton were going forward, they were awful at the back and they were grateful to see a free header from McShane fly narrowly over the bar.

But the hosts conceded again in the 42nd minute to leave themselves with a mountain to climb.

This time Kermorgant was the supplier as his pass sent John scampering away and the Dutchman kept his cool before slotting past Henderson.

Royals were now on top and they threatened a fourth immediately after the restart when John clipped the crossbar from long range and Robson-Kanu also fired over from a good position.

But Addicks got themselves back into the game with a second goal in the 49th minute.

Sanogo's close range header from Zakarya Bergdich's cross was saved by Al Habsi, but the ball bounced off Jake Cooper and crept over the line.

Addicks were right back in it, but Reading almost regained their two-goal cushion when Robson-Kanu's effort was brilliantly saved by Henderson on 54 minutes.

Having survived that scare, Charlton nearly drew level when Sanogo poked the ball past Al Habsi only for McShane to desperately hack it away.

And on 63 minutes Al Habsi saved Chris Gunter's blushes with an important block to deny Bergdich after the Welshman had given the ball.

Al Habsi continued to bail his defence out of trouble by keeping out Sanogo's effort with 71 minutes gone.

But he was beaten for a third time with seven minutes remaining as Charlton completed what appeared to be a remarkable comeback.

After Quinn had lost the ball, Royals' keeper beat away a stinging effort from Gudmundsson.

But the ball stayed in play and Sanogo pounced on the loose ball to prod it over the line.

Royals, though, refused to give in and McDermott went for broke by sacrificing midfielder Quinn for Rakels with a minute to go.

It proved to be a masterstroke as moments later a superb cross by Jordan Obita arrived at the back post and Rakels did the rest with a clinical finish to secure all three points for the visitors.

It was the first time Reading had scored more than one goal in a league match under McDermott since he was re-appointed in December.

It nearly wasn't enough to see off Charlton until Rakels produced his magic in stoppage time.

Reading host Fulham in the Championship at Madejski Stadium next Saturday (3pm).