Danny Guthrie's goal direct from a free kick has given Reading a deserved lead against Birmingham City at half time.

The home side started well and Pavel Pogrebnyak's early strike was palmed away by Birmingham keeper Darren Randolph after the Russian was slipped in by Garath McCleary.

At the other end Alex McCarthy took no chances and punched clear an effort from range by Christopher Burke.

Chris Baird then went close for Reading but his header from a corner just missed the target, before McCleary was again involved, this time shooting wide from the edge of the box after receiving Pogrebnyak's lay-off.

The home side made their dominance pay just after the half-hour mark when Guthrie curled a free kick from the left, which evaded everyone and nestled into the corner.

Adam Le Fondre came close to doubling the lead when he raced on to a through-ball and beat Randolph to it, but could only send his effort over the bar.

Jesse Lingard then set up Tom Adeyemi, whose thumping strike from 25 yards was well saved by McCarthy.