The visitors scored straight from the kickoff when the ball was sent forward to Simon Cox, who flicked over the Wolves defence where Pavel Pogrebnyak collected and slotted home.

Wolves set about trying to level proceedings and threatened just a few minutes later when Bakary Sako bore down on goal before blasting over from 25 yards.

In the 25th minute, Royals goalkeeper Adam Federici pulled off a great save from Danny Batth, with Nathaniel Chalobah then launching into an acrobatic goalline clearance to fully remove the danger.

Just before the half-hour mark, however, Wolves managed to equalise when Rajiv van la Parra sent a pinpoint cross the way of Benik Afobe, who made no mistake in heading home from six yards.

The hosts were first to threaten after the restart as Kortney Hause's cross was met by the head of David Edwards, but the effort sailed wide of the post.

At the other end, Tomas Kuszczak kept out Cox's low strike moments later before smothering the rebound, and Michael Hector glanced a header wide of goal on the hour.

Reading then found themselves back in front in the 69th minute when Garath McCleary collected a cross before holding off the Wolves defence and setting up Danny Williams, who duly thumped home off the post.

The hosts pushed forward following this setback, but in doing so left themselves exposed at the back and nearly conceded again when Nick Blackman marauded down the flank, only to see his shot tipped away.

Wolves were unable to find another equaliser, leaving Reading to secure all three points and climb to 13th place in the Championship table.