Reading FC ended the League One season on a high with a win which ended Blackpool’s hopes of finishing in the play-offs.
After going a goal behind early on to Karamako Dembele’s goal, the Royals hit back with strikes from Sam Smith, Harvey Knibbs and Femi Azeez.
The result means the Royals end the season in 16th spot on 53 points.
Ruben Selles made one change from the side that lost at Burton Albion last week as Clinton Mola was selected at right-back in place of Kelvin Abrefa.
There was a place on the bench for Tom Holmes for his final appearance for the club before he joins Luton Town.
The Royals could play without any pressure knowing that their status in League One was already secured, while Blackpool still had hopes of making the play-offs.
Knowing only a win would give them a shot of making the top six, the visitors made a blistering start when they capitalised after Reading failed to clear the danger in their box and Karamoko Demebele’s outside of the foot strike squeezed into the bottom corner.
The Royals grew into the half and had their first sight at goal when Femi Azeez and Kelvin Ehibhaitomhan linked up with Azeez dragging his effort wide of the target.
Reading should have got themselves level in the 21st minute when Azeez flashed a dangerous ball into the six yard area, but Harvey Knibbs spooned his first time shot over the top from a few yards out.
The Tangerines came close to making it two just before the break when Kyle Joseph found his way in behind the backline but was thwarted by Joel Pereira who rushed out at his feet and turned the ball behind.
The game was all square right on the stroke of half-time when Azeez floated a pinpoint delivery into the six yard box which was met by Smith’s diving header which he guided into the corner.
Reading started the second-half on the front foot and won some corners, one of which was headed just over the top by Jeriel Dorsett.
Blackpool’s first big chance of the half fell for Hayden Coulsen after the ball fell kindly for him to hit in the box, but he lifted his shot over the top.
Selles first change with 25 minutes to go saw Mamadi Camara replace Ehibhatiomhan.
The Royals went in front with 20 minutes to go with an excellently wrecked goal.
With Camara played into the box, he showed sublime composure to steady himself and lay the ball back for Knibbs who applied the finish into the top corner.
Reading ensured the contest was well within their control by hitting Blackpool with a double blow as Azeez extended the lead just a few minutes after going in front when Azeez slotted the ball in the far corner.
Holmes was brought on for his final Royals appearance alongside Charlie Savage and they replaced Ben Elliott and Tyler Bindon.
Jayden Wareham and Kelvin Abrefa were brought on late on to help close out the game.
Blackpool grabbed a goal back in stoppage time when Pereira’s clearance was charged down Jordan Gabriel who netted.
The win lifts Reading up to 16th to finish the League One campaign.
Reading: Pereira, Mola, Bindon, Mbengue, Dorsett, Elliott, Wing, Knibbs, Azeez, Ehibhatiomhan, Smith
Subs: Button, Savage, Holmes, Wareham, Camara, Craig, Abrefa
Blackpool: Grimshaw, Husband, Pennington, Byers, Joseph, Carey, Dembele, Coulson, Beesley, Ekpiteta, Hamilton
Subs: O’Donnell, Gabriel, Norburn, Morgan, Virtue, Casey, Emmerson
Goals: Dembele 4’, Smith 45+2’, Knibbs 68’, Azeez 71’
