Reading up to third after win over Blackburn Rovers

Two sensational Yann Kermorgant headers saw Royals coasting only for Rovers to stage a rousing comeback in the second half.

Elliott Bennett then reduced the deficit with a long-range rocket with 13 minutes to go, only for Garath McCleary to settle Royals’ nerves less than a minute later with an all-important third.

Jaap Stam’s men were far superior before the break and rarely had to break sweat against Tony Mowbray’s relegation strugglers.

But they took their foot off the gas in the second period and allowed Rovers back into the game.

Nevertheless, Royals had enough nous to close the contest out for their third successive victory.

It will now take a monumental collapse over the last six games for Reading to drop out of the top six.

Stam’s men got their own job done tonight and were aided by Brentford’s 2-0 win against Leeds and a 4-2 defeat for Fulham at Derby.

In Kermorgant they also have a player on fire. Fresh from sinking Leeds in Saturday’s bad-blooded clash, the enigmatic Frenchman hit another impressive double to take his league tally to 13 for the season including four in his last three games and five in his last six.

His brace - two stunning headers on 14 and 29 minutes - were of the highest quality and few Championship defenders will fancy marking him right now.

Yet there were also enough negatives too keep Stam occupied between now and Saturday’s trip to Norwich City.

As good as Reading were in the first half, there were occasions when they were equally as bad after the break. The passing became wayward, their energy levels dropped and they became complacent.

But aside from that it was another encouraging result for the home side and their 14th league victory at the Madejski Stadium this season.

Stam made three changes from the side that defeated Leeds with Reece Oxford, Adrian Popa and fit-again Jordon Mutch all returning to the side.

Danny Williams and McCleary were rested and on the bench while Jordan Obita was left out after picking up a knock at the weekend.

Rovers, meanwhile, included two former Royals in their squad as Hope Akpan started in midfield and Danny Guthrie was named on the bench.

But Mowbray’s plans were dealt a blow just 10 minutes in when centre-back Charlie Mulgrew left on a stretcher after colliding with his own player at a corner, with Tommie Hoban coming on.

And before Rovers could re-organise they fell behind four minutes later.

Royals worked the ball to the left and when Blackett whipped in a teasing cross, Kermorgant peeled away from Hoban to send a looping header over Jason Steele and into the opposite corner.

It was a terrible start for the visitors. However, they settled down and a long-range effort from Bennett offered a warning before Mutch replied at the other end, cutting in from the right before firing a left-footed drive narrowly wide.

Yet Rovers’ task turned into a mammoth one when Reading doubled their lead just before the half-hour mark.

Again, some neat play from Stam’s men with Oxford central to it saw John Swift work his way to the bye line before dinking over a cross which Kermorgant dispatched into the bottom corner with a bullet header that flew past Steele.

It was becoming rather easy for the hosts. Yes, they continued to battle for every ball, but they rarely needed to get out second gear.

Yet any fear of complacency must have been wiped out when Rovers almost pulled one back on the stroke of half time.

Craig Conway sent a free-kick to the back post and Sam Gallagher slid in to convert – only for the linesman to raise his offside flag with visiting fans still celebrating.

Mowbray turned to bench for inspiration and made his two remaining changes at the break by sending on Marvin Emnes and Lucas Joao, the latter shooting narrowly wide from the edge of the area four minutes after the restart.

Reading suddenly had the jitters and Rovers created two more excellent chances within the space of two minutes.

With 52 minutes gone Emnes met a deep cross at the back post, but his shot hit the ground and bounced over the bar.

Then moments later Al-Habsi produced a vital stop to deny Gallagher from a Derrick Williams centre.

It was becoming nervy stuff for the home fans. Joao also saw a faint penalty claim turned away after colliding with Liam Moore before a long-ranger from Emnes whistled just over.

Reading Chronicle: Reading fans in full voice during the win against Blackburn.

Stam, sensing the danger, brought on fresh legs in Williams and McCleary, the latter wasting a decent chance to wrap it up in the 62nd minute when his touch let him down with only Steele between him and the goal.

Reading, though, survived so Stam threw on Tiago Ilori with 17 minutes to go for only his third appearance since signing from Liverpool in January due to injury problems.

But the complexion of the game quickly changed when Rovers pulled one back thanks to Bennett’s stunning 25-yarder in the 77th minute.

Sadly, it was a false dawn for the visitors as Reading notched their third of the night one minute later.

Stam’s men piled forward and, after Kermorgant and Williams had powerful shots blocked, the ball was recycled to McCleary on the left.

Royals winger was given too much and time and accepted the invitation to shoot, caressing the ball on the angle into the bottom corner from 18 yards.

Even then the action was frantic and end-to-end. Swift’s effort was well saved by Steele with seven minutes to go, then Al-Habsi was relieved to see the ball bounce wide of his own goal after smashing it against Emnes.

There was still time left for McCleary to somehow miss the target by a mile from close range, but Reading were already home and hosed.

On Saturday, they travel to Norwich City as they continue their quest for promotion.