LEANDRO Bacuna saw red and Reading were made to pay for lacklustre finishing as Fulham FC claimed a deserved 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage.

Forwards Bodvarsson and Barrow both fluffed their lines at the vital moment as Reading missed two clear-cut opportunities to take the lead.

And Reading were punished when Stefan Johansen pounced on a delightful Matthew Target cross to put the hosts in front.

Royals continued to ask question but in truth the home side dominated the majority of the game and could have easily scored three or four on the night.

The Cottagers now move up to second spot in the Championship as they edge closer to the Premier League.

Paul Clement made just one change to the side which beat Preston North End last Saturday as Dave Edwards returned from his one-game suspension to replace John Swift, who was relegated to the bench.

High-flying Cottagers were brimming with confidence ahead of kick-off knowing a win could move them into the automatic promotion hunt and nearly forced an early opening through wonderkid Ryan Sessegnon.

Reading are next in action on Saturday against relegation threatened Sunderland.