Reading have beaten Charlton Athletic 1-0 at the Madejski Stadium thanks to a Nick Blackman finish shortly after Patrick Bauer was sent off for the Addicks.
Chelsea loanee Lucas Piazon had an early chance for the hosts after receiving a backheel ball from Orlando Sa, but saw his shot saved by Nick Pope.
Piazon then turned provider for frontman Ola John one minute later, but the Netherlands international could only blaze his attempt over.
Sa hit another shot on target from 25 yards out with 15 minutes gone, but Pope did well to collect and keep the game level.
Sa continued to threat and was seeking a penalty after going down in the box with just over 10 minutes remaining in the first half, but the referee refused to point to the spot.
Charlton's Johann Berg Gudmundsson then went for a low curling effort from the edge of the box, but Reading keeper Ali Al-Habsi did well to get down and deal with the shot to keep things level at the break.
Following some half chances from Blackman, John and Piazon, Bauer was shown a second yellow card with just over 20 minutes remaining for a late tackle on Blackman.
Reading took full advantage, and Blackman put the hosts into the lead with a headed finish after latching on to Piazon's cross.
The hosts continued to dominate afterwards, but despite attempts from Oliver Norwood, Danny Williams and another from Blackman, none could find the back of the net and the game finished at 1-0.
Miles Jolliffe
