Yakou Meite headed in a winner in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time as Reading completed a stunning comeback to beat Wigan Athletic at Madejski Stadium.
The Royals trailed 2-1 with two minutes of normal time to play after goals from Nick Powell and Joe Garner either side of a brilliant John Swift free-kick.
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Mo Barrow looked to have rescued Reading a point with a long-range strike into the bottom corner but the hosts were not done there with Meite stooping to head in and send the Mad Stad wild with his first goal since November.
It is the first time Reading have managed back-to-back victories since December 2017 and this win coupled with other results lifts Jose Gomes’ side three points clear of the relegation zone and up to 19th in the table.
Gomes made just one change from the win at Ipswich Town last weekend with Mo Barrow replacing the injured Nelson Oliveira up front. But there were some new faces on the bench in young academy duo Ryan East and Michael Olise.
And Reading started brightly, going close early on when Yakou Meite cut in from the right and fired goalwards, but his effort just cleared the crossbar.
The Royals were dominating possession but could not work goalkeeper Jamie Jones and it was Wigan who got their noses in front on 20 minutes.
Ovie Ejaria lost out to Reece James in the centre, who picked out Michael Jacobs to break down the left. The winger composed himself before picking out Powell in the centre, who guided the ball into the bottom corner.
Chances were at a premium during a scrappy first half but Reading finally worked Jones when Tyler Blackett got in down the left and pulled the ball back to McCleary, 12 yards out, but the winger fired a weak effort straight at the goalkeeper.
Gomes was called into an early change with Ejaria forced off through injury and replaced by Danny Loader.
And the substitute made a big impact before the half was out.
Frustrations were boiling over around the ground over some decisions from referee Andy Davies, but he did award the hosts a free-kick 20 yards out in stoppage time.
Up stepped Swift, smashing a brilliant effort over the wall and into the far corner to bring the game back level at the break.
Wigan created the early chances after the restart with Gavin Massey and Cheyenne Dunkley both going close before the Latics retook the lead.
Powell was again involved with his initial shot blocked by Lewis Baker before a wayward acrobatic second effort fell kindly to Garner at the back post to sweep in unmarked.
And the Latics almost added a third soon after. Gavin Massey broke down the right and delivered low for Powell, who slid in but was denied by a brilliant Emi Martinez stop from point blank range.
The Argentine was called into action again when Wigan skipper Sam Morsy let fly from range but the goalkeeper parried clear to keep the deficit to just one.
And that save proved vital as Reading launched an incredible late comeback.
Barrow sparked the revival out of nothing, collecting the ball 25 yards from goal and lashing into the bottom corner for his second goal in as many weeks.
Moments later, seven minutes additional time were added and both sides pushed for the win.
But it came for the hosts with just 30 seconds to play as Callum Harriott swung in a corner which was met by a diving Meite and headed into the bottom corner to spark wild scenes.
The Latics looked to respond through Leon Clarke, but Martinez held on to seal a memorable win for Gomes’ charges.
READING: Martinez; Yiadom, Miazga, Moore (c), Blackett; Baker, Ejaria (Loader 36); Meite, Swift, McCleary (Harriott 67); Barrow.
Subs not used: Walker, Gunter, McShane, East, Olise.
Goals: Swift (45+3), Barrow (89), Meite (90+7)
Yellow cards: Miazga (42), Meite (90+7)
WIGAN: Jones; Byrne, Dunkley, Olsson, Robinson; Massey, James, Morsy (c), Massey (Naismith 74); Powell (Clarke 78); Garner (Windass 90+3).
Subs not used: Evans, Kipre, Gibson, Roberts.
Goals: Powell (20), Garner (64)
Yellow cards: Garner (42), Robinson (57), Jacobs (70)
Referee: Andy Davies
Attendance: 15,401 (inc. 588 away)
