League leaders Bournemouth took another step towards promotion with a 1-0 victory over Reading tonight.

The visitors took the lead with the first attack of the game as Callum Wilson slotted the ball into the back of net after Andrew Surman hit the base of the post.

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Reading refused to sit back though and almost found a leveller 15 minutes later, but Bournemouth goalkeeper Artur Boruc made an acrobatic save to keep out Jamie Mackie's shot following Jordan Obita's cross.

The home side continued to push forward and went close again through Nathaniel Chalobah's header and Hal Robson-Kanu's curling shot before Yann Kermorgant almost doubled Bournemouth's lead on the stroke of half time, but his header went just wide.

The second half got off to a slow start, before Matt Ritchie almost scored a fine goal in the 61st minute with a rasping effort that flew inches past the Reading post.

However, it was the Royals who piled forward late on in search for an equaliser, and they went close through Kwesi Appiah, Daniel Williams and Nathan Ake.

Bournemouth held on to claim the three points and maintain their one point lead at the top of the table.