Ipswich Town kept their first clean sheet in nine home games to beat Reading 2-0 this afternoon courtesy of Daryl Murphy and Paul Anderson strikes at Portman Road.
The Royals had bagged seven in the thrashing of Bolton Wanderers last week but despite that and a suspect defence on their own soil, Mick McCarthy's side recorded a narrow victory.
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The visitors nearly went ahead in fortunate circumstances when Christophe Berra headed Garath McCleary's cross against Pavel Pogrebnyak and the ball came within inches of rolling into the net.
Stephen Hunt had the two clearest chances of the first half but was twice denied his opening Town goal by Reading defender Kasper Gorkss, who blocked a tame volley following a cross from Luke Chambers.
He then cleared an effort from the Republic of Ireland international off the line, with Hunt guiding a Murphy knockdown goalwards, but his compatriot was more fortunate in front of goal after the break.
A thumping drive from Murphy went in off the underside off the crossbar on 62 minutes to put Ipswich on their way to a victory which takes them to within two points of Reading in the last playoff place.
Hunt was involved heavily until his late withdrawal and was perhaps lucky to escape without a red card when he was cautioned for sliding in late on Royals keeper Alex McCarthy.
Substitute Anderson put the result beyond doubt with a fine individual effort in stoppage time, ghosting past his marker before powerfully firing across McCarthy and into the side-netting.
Joe Fish
