ROY BEERENS’ deflected strike was enough for Reading to beat league leaders Huddersfield Town and extend their unbeaten run to eight games in all competitions.
After an even opening, the game turned on a red card for Rajiv van la Parra midway through the first half, who was dismissed for two quick bookings.
And following a sustained spell of pressure, Royals eventually broke the deadlock when Beerens powered a shot in at the back post having latched onto Callum Harriott’s cross.
The visitors improved after the break, making for a nervy ending as Al-Habsi’s goal came under regular threat with Nahki Wells and Michael Hefele going closest.
But Reading held out to preserve their unbeaten record at Madejski Stadium this season and climb into a play-off spot as Huddersfield drop to second.
Jaap Stam made three changes from the team which beat Barnsley in the last league game with suspended duo Garath McCleary and Tyler Blackett both making way for Harriott and Jordan Obita respectively.
The third change saw Joey van den Berg return from injury to replace George Evans, who dropped to the bench.
Huddersfield were unchanged which meant Wells started in search of his sixth goal against the Royals.
As soon as Town lined up with both Wells and Kasey Palmer in a two-man attack, Stam switched back to his five at the back system with van den Berg dropping between the two centre halves and it was a frantic start to the contest.
The visitors produced the first shot when full-back Tommy Smith cut inside onto his left-foot but Al-Habsi saved well down low.
Chances were few and far between as both sides cancelled each other out for much of the opening stages.
However, that all changed on 26 minutes when van la Parra was shown his marching orders. Having just been booked following a collision with Obita, the Dutchman was given a second for dissent after a coming together with van den Berg, despite having won a free-kick.
David Wagner’s men struggled to deal with the dismissal as Reading sensed a golden opportunity to topple the league leaders with John Swift cracking an effort against the post before both he and Paul McShane tried their luck from distance.
Yann Kermorgant also saw a header held by Danny Ward before the deadlock was finally broken on 41 minutes.
Harriott, making his first league start following a summer move from Charlton Athletic, did well to get beyond substitute Harry Bunn on the right and dink a ball to the back post when Beerens was on hand to smash through a crowd of bodies and into the net via a deflection.
Huddersfield could have levelled before the break after a rare foray into the Reading half when Mark Hudson headed an Aaron Mooy corner wide but the Royals went into the break well on top.
Stam made a couple of early switches at the beginning of the second half with Tennai Watson and Evans brought on for Obita and van den Berg but it was the referee who was in the spotlight again soon after the restart.
It was hearts in mouths for the home fans on 56 minutes when last man Chris Gunter, who had switched to left-back, slid in and brought down Wells on halfway.
The Welshman appeared to get a touch on the ball but a foul was given and referee James Linington decided to issue a yellow rather than a red to the anger of over 1,300 travelling supporters.
Huddersfield certainly improved after the break with Manchester City loanee Mooy beginning to get more involved and Al-Habsi had to be alert to deny Wells’ curling effort.
At the other end, Beerens threatened a second goal as he rounded Ward but could only fire into the side netting.
Reading carved out a good chance to extend their advantage on 73 minutes when Harriott got away from his man and laid the ball to substitute Stephen Quinn unmarked on the edge of the box.
The Irishman hit his right-footed effort well but Ward parried it as far as Beerens, who saw his rebound blocked.
Wagner threw on big centre-back Michael Hefele up front for the final 10 minutes to try and cause some confusion in the Reading defence as the visiting fans grew in confidence.
And that confidence was nearly rewarded six minutes from time when Al-Habsi was almost embarrassed by Wells, who so nearly nicked the ball from his feet before the Omani eventually fired clear.
Wells curled agonisingly wide moments later as the nerves grew around Madejski Stadium, no more so than when Smith’s low ball across the six yard box somehow stayed out.
Hefele then headed wide but Reading just about managed to see out the win which lifts them up to fourth in the table.
READING (ratings out of 10): Al-Habsi 6.5; Gunter 7, McShane (c) 7.5, van den Berg 7.5 (Evans 53 6.5), Moore 7, Obita 6.5 (Watson 45 7); Harriott 7.5*, Williams 7.5, Swift 6.5 (Quinn 70 6.5), Beerens 7.5; Kermorgant 7.
Subs not used: Jaakkola, Gravenberch, Samuel, Mendes.
Goal: Beerens (41)
Yellow cards: Obita (35), Gunter (56)
HUDDERSFIELD: Ward; Smith, Hudson (c), Schindler, Lowe (Cranie 80); Kachunga, Mooy, Hogg, van la Parra; Wells, Palmer (Bunn 28 (Hefele 80)).
Subs not used: Coleman, Whitehead, Payne, Scannell.
Yellow cards: van la Parra x2 (24, 26), Smith (27), Lowe (45), Hudson (58), Kachunga (66)
Red card: van la Parra (26)
Referee: James Linington
Attendance: 17,030 (inc. 1,349 away)
