READING FC made it back-to-back wins in League One as Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan netted a brace to end Stevenage’s winning run.
Stevenage went down to 10 men after 22 minutes when Nathan Thompson received his second yellow for a cynical foul on Harvey Knibbs.
Ruben Selles’ men went in front in added time of the first-half as Ehibhatiomhan netted his first league goal of the campaign before the forward tapped in from close range to double the lead.
It’s been another week at Reading Football Club with off the field issues coming off the back of a positive win on Tuesday night.
The young guns were on show against Cheltenham and once again showcased their potential as several academy players shone in Reading’s first League One win of the campaign.
The following day, Reading were docked one point with a further three points suspended for failing to pay wages on time on three separate occasions last season.
This means the Royals have been hit with points penalties in the last three seasons, while club owner Dai Yongge was also fined £10,000.
There was no place in the squad for the consecutive game for Andy Carroll, Tom Holmes and Nesta Guinness-Walker.
Stevenage had made a flying start to the season under Steve Evans. Having been promoted from League Two last season, Boro started this campaign with three wins on the bounce.
Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan came a few inches away from finding the bottom corner after being teed up by Mamadi Camara, but his effort whistled just wide of the post.
The game hit a big turning point with 22 minutes on the clock when the visitors were reduced to 10 men.
With defender Nathan Thompson already on a booking, the referee was given no choice but to dismiss him after he cynically hauled down Harvey Knibbs on the left wing to stop an attack.
Steve Evans’ continued with their aggressive approach despite being down to 10 and were punished as substitute Alex MaDonald was booked within minutes of coming on for clipping the ankles of Caylan Vickers.
Despite the one player deficit, it was Boro who came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first-half when David Button had to make a fine save to turn Aaron Pressley’s header onto the post.
Mamadi Camara had two good chances in quick succession. He was first teed up after some excellent foot work from Vickers, but saw his shot blocked before Mbengue swung in a cross only for Camara to head straight down the throat of the keeper.
Selles was forced into a change as Knibbs was replaced by Femi Azeez.
After nine minutes of added time after plenty of stoppages, it was Reading who took advantage..
Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan found the breakthrough in the fourth minute of stoppage time as he connected with Charlie Savage’s corner and headed beyond the keeper.
Ehibhatiomhan kept up his goalscoring knack when he was perfectly placed to profit on the rebound from Mbengue’s saved shot to convert from close range.
Latest signing Paul Makairu came on to make his debut and took the place of Camara for the final 30 minutes.
With 20 minutes to go, another new boy entered the fray as Ben Eliott replaced Vickers as part of a triple change that also saw Andy Yiadom and Tom McIntyre appear.
The Royals threatened to make it 3-0 and put the game to bed when some superb flowing football down the right saw Yiadom burst forward before the ball fell kindly for Azeez who couldn’t put away his chance.
Mukairu had the chance to mark his debut with a goal after an excellent turn of pace from Azeez who put it on the plate for the Nigerian who missed his kick.
Next up for the Royals is an away trip to Exeter City as they look to make it three wins in a row.
Reading: Button, Mbengue, Abbey (c), Bindon, Carson, Hutchinson, Savage, Knibbs, Camara, Vickers, Ehibhatiomhan
Subs: Boyce-Clarke, Elliott, McIntyre, Dean, Azeez, Mukairu, Yiadom
Stevenage: Hegyi, Butler, Thompson, Piergianni (c), Forster-Caskey, Roberts, Smith, Burns, Reid, Pressley, Thompson
Subs: Ashby-Hammond, MacDonald, List, Neal, Thompson, Hannam
Goals: Ehibhatiomhan 45+4’, 57’
