Reading have opened up a nine point gap on seventh place to consolidate their play-off chances with victory over Blackburn.
Two first half headers from in-form striker Yann Kermorgant set Reading up for their third successive league win as Royals resisted a much improved second half performance from Rovers.
The away side managed to pull one back through Elliott Bennett’s spectacular volley only to concede a minute later as Garath McCleary secured the win.
Relegation threatened Rovers were dealt an early blow when they were forced into a change inside 10 minutes when Charlie Mulgrew could not continue.
Reading looking dangerous early on with Jordon Mutch having a shot from range blocked after John Swift rushed forward releasing Roy Beerens down the wing.
Therefore it was with little surprise that Royals took only 14 minutes to move in front, when Tyler Blackett crossed in from the left and Kermorgant headed back across goal and past Rovers keeper Jason Steele for his 12th of the season.
Rovers were quick to respond through Bennett who shot first time over the bar from Liam Feeney’s pass. But Royals doubled their lead before the half-hour after Kermorgant powerfully headed in Swift’s cross from the left byline, for his fourth goal in three games.
As the break approached, Beerens was brought down just outside the area but Swift’s delivery from the free kick was too close to keeper Steele.
Blackburn thought they had pulled one back on the stroke of half-time when Craig Conway’s inviting free-kick was side-footed into the net by unmarked Sam Gallagher but was judged to have been offside to make sure Royals headed down the tunnel with their two goal cushion intact.
Rovers made a lively start to the second half with boss Tony Mowbray opting for a double substitution at break. It was sub Lucas Joao who shot wide from 25 yards to begin a flurry of Rovers chances including a fellow substitute Marvin Emnes bouncing his effort just over the bar and Gallagher having a shot saved from point-blank range by Royals keeper Ali Al-Habsi.
Meanwhile Liam Kelly went close from range just missing to the left with Royals looking to put the game to bed. Emnes then blazed over on the run for the visitors as Rovers continued to churn out the chances.
Reading sub McCleary squandered a great chance when he was played through on goal by Swift following Al-Habsi’s quick distribution but the Jamaican could not stop the Rovers defender from stepping in and winning the ball.
Rovers were rewarded for their second half efforts on 77 minutes when Bennett rifled home a volley from outside of the box to give the travelling fans some hope. That hope was short lived however, as Rovers failed to clear their lines after a succession of Royals shots were blocked. The ball broke to McCleary who willingly fired home to prevent a nervy finish at the Madejski.
Royals could have added more late on with Swift half-volleying straight at Steele, McCleary scuffing his shot from close range and sub Danny Williams being denied after Beerens’ flick forward.
The Royals’ reward for their victory is leapfrogging Huddersfield into third place in the Championship table with six games remaining.
READING (ratings out of 10): Al-Habsi 8; Gunter (c) 7, Oxford 8 (Ilori 73 n/a), Moore 7, Blackett 7.5; Kelly 7 (Da. Williams 63 8), Mutch 7, Swift 7.5; Popa 6 (McCleary 55 8), Beerens 8.5, Kermorgant 9.5*.
Subs not used: Jaakkola, Watson, Grabban, Mendes.
Goals: Kermorgant x2 (14,29), McCleary (78)
Yellow card: Blackett (47)
BLACKBURN: Steele; Nyambe, Lenihan (Emnes 45), Mulgrew (Hoban 10), De. Williams; Feeney, Lowe (c), Akpan, Conway (Joao 45); Bennett, Gallagher.
Subs not used: Raya, Brown, Guthrie, Mahoney.
Goal: Bennett (77)
Referee: James Adcock
Attendance: 15,353 (inc. 480 away)
