Kaspars Gorkss has given Reading a 1-0 half-time lead over his former club Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road this afternoon.

© PA Photos

Hosting Rangers began the encounter the brighter of the two sides, but off-target shots from Djibril Cisse and Junior Hoilett were as close as they came to breaking the deadlock in the opening exchanges.

Having been made to defend for large parts of the half, Reading took the lead with 16 minutes played. Sean Morrison headed Nicky Shorey's corner against the bar and when the rebound dropped to Latvian defender Gorkss, he struck the ball past Julio Cesar in the home goal from eight yards out.

The response of the hosts was positive and twice Adel Taarabt forced saves from Reading goalkeeper Alex McCarthy with low efforts.

McCarthy was called into action again with seven minutes of the half remaining as he turned Esteban Granero's direct free kick from the edge of the area onto his bar.

Neither of these sides has won a game in the Premier League this season.