Burnley have taken a 2-1 lead in at half time against Reading to leave the Royals' playoff hopes hanging in the balance.

As things stand, Nigel Adkins's team occupy the final playoff spot on goal difference ahead of Blackburn Rovers.

Reading had a strong shout for a penalty turned down in the first minute when Pavel Pogrebnyak's shot was blocked by Jason Shackell as he lay on the floor.

The home side had their lead on 16 minutes when they broke from a Burnley corner and the counter-attack was eventually finished off by Kieran Trippier, who could only guide the ball into his own net as he tried to clear a cross.

However the Clarets were back in it moments later when Scott Arfield turned home his eighth strike of the campaign after Reading failed to clear a low cross.

Hope Akpan drilled a fierce effort into Shackell's legs after the visitors again failed to stop the ball coming in from a wide area, before Tom Heaton had to be alert moments later to deny a second own goal from Michael Duff.

Danny Ings gave his side the lead just before the half-hour mark when he netted his 26th goal of the campaign with a sharp turn and strike on the edge of the box.