Reading striker Simon Church scored the game's only goal in the second minute as the Royals beat play-off rivals Leeds United at Elland Road.

The Wales international controlled Jobi McAnuff's pass and put an angled finish past Andy Lonergan from 12 yards.

McAnuff then pulled a shot wide and had an effort saved by Lonergan.

Leeds, who remain sixth despite the defeat, struggled in front of goal, but Danny Pugh's shot from inside the area was well saved by Adam Federici.

The Royals, who beat another promotion rival in West Ham a week ago, are now just one place behind.

Leeds had their fair share of possession but lacked bite in the penalty area and their first shot on goal did not come until first-half injury time, when Ross McCormack headed straight at Federici.

Just before the hour mark, the Royals goalkeeper then denied Pugh's angled drive before substitute Andy Keogh lashed a shot over the crossbar just seconds after coming off the bench.

Alex Pearce could have killed the game off but headed wide from six yards.

The defender later redeemed himself, though, by deflecting Pugh's goalbound shot wide from 25 yards.

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (5)

Leeds United

  • 01 Lonergan
  • 02 Connolly
  • 03 Kisnorbo
  • 22 Lees
  • 28 White
  • 08 Brown (Vayrynen - 66' Booked )
  • 15 Clayton (Keogh - 65' )
  • 16 Pugh
  • 23 Snodgrass
  • 10 Becchio
  • 44 McCormack (Sam - 65' )

Substitutes

  • 24 Taylor
  • 48 O'Dea
  • 07 Vayrynen
  • 11 Sam
  • 38 Keogh

Reading

  • 01 Federici
  • 02 Griffin Booked
  • 05 Pearce
  • 17 Gorkss
  • 24 Cummings
  • 04 Karacan (Tabb - 60' )
  • 08 Leigertwood
  • 11 McAnuff Booked
  • 19 Robson-Kanu
  • 09 Le Fondre (Antonio - 90' )
  • 18 Church

Substitutes

  • 31 Andersen
  • 15 Morrison
  • 07 Tabb
  • 28 Antonio
  • 40 D'Ath
Ref: Webster
Att: 23,162

Match Stats

Shots

5 6

On target

4 3

Corners

2 9

Fouls

12 13

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:04 Full time

Full Time The referee brings the game to a close.

90:00 +2:24

Simon Church challenges Patrick Kisnorbo unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Andy Lonergan.

90:00 +1:51

Short corner taken by Jobi McAnuff.

90:00 +0:59

Free kick awarded for a foul by Paul Connolly on Michail Antonio. Direct free kick taken by Andy Griffin.

90:00 +0:59

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Michail Antonio by Paul Connolly. Andy Griffin takes the free kick.

89:11 Substitution

Substitution Adam Le Fondre goes off and Michail Antonio comes on.

86:55

Lloyd Sam challenges Adam Le Fondre unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Shaun Cummings.

85:17

Unfair challenge on Aidan White by Jobi McAnuff results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Andy Lonergan.

84:47

Unfair challenge on Mikele Leigertwood by Danny Pugh results in a free kick. Kaspars Gorkss takes the free kick.

80:23

Danny Pugh takes a shot. Blocked by Alex Pearce. Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Lloyd Sam, Alex Pearce makes a clearance.

78:58

The referee blows for offside. Direct free kick taken by Andy Lonergan.

76:18

Corner taken by Hal Robson-Kanu from the right by-line, Alex Pearce gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Patrick Kisnorbo. Free kick taken by Andy Lonergan.

74:56

Corner taken right-footed by Jobi McAnuff from the left by-line, save by Andy Lonergan.

74:08

Hal Robson-Kanu takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance made by Robert Snodgrass.

72:14

Header from close in by Alex Pearce misses to the left of the goal.

71:01

Free kick crossed right-footed by Kaspars Gorkss from left channel, clearance by Patrick Kisnorbo. Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Jobi McAnuff, Robert Snodgrass makes a clearance.

71:01 Booking

Booking Mika Vayrynen goes into the book.

70:37

Mika Vayrynen concedes a free kick for a foul on Jay Tabb.

68:50

Adam Le Fondre challenges Tom Lees unfairly and gives away a free kick. Patrick Kisnorbo restarts play with the free kick.

67:15

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Mika Vayrynen by Adam Le Fondre. The ball is delivered by Robert Snodgrass, Andrew Keogh produces a left-footed shot from inside the area that clears the bar.

65:45

Free kick awarded for a foul by Danny Pugh on Jay Tabb. Adam Federici takes the free kick.

64:12 Substitution

Substitution Michael Brown leaves the field to be replaced by Mika Vayrynen.

64:12 Substitution

Substitution Ross McCormack goes off and Lloyd Sam comes on.

64:12 Substitution

Substitution (Leeds) makes a substitution, with Andrew Keogh coming on for Adam Clayton.

63:40

Simon Church is ruled offside. Direct free kick taken by Andy Lonergan.

61:26

Alex Pearce fouled by Adam Clayton, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Adam Federici.

59:10

Corner taken by Hal Robson-Kanu.

59:10 Substitution

Substitution Jay Tabb on for Jem Karacan.

60:10

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Hal Robson-Kanu.

60:10 Substitution

Substitution Jay Tabb joins the action as a substitute, replacing Jem Karacan.

58:15

Danny Pugh takes a shot. Save by Adam Federici.

53:16

Unfair challenge on Jobi McAnuff by Paul Connolly results in a free kick. Andy Griffin takes the free kick.

52:06

Foul by Adam Le Fondre on Michael Brown, free kick awarded. Michael Brown takes the direct free kick.

51:09

Unfair challenge on Shaun Cummings by Ross McCormack results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Adam Federici.

47:49

Unfair challenge on Andy Griffin by Robert Snodgrass results in a free kick. Adam Federici takes the free kick.

47:49

Robert Snodgrass gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Andy Griffin. Andy Griffin takes the direct free kick.

45:54

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Robert Snodgrass, clearance by Alex Pearce.

45:01

The game restarts for the second half.

45:00 +3:11 Half time

Half Time The ref blows to signal half-time.

45:00 +2:16

Ross McCormack takes a shot. Comfortable save by Adam Federici.

45:00 +2:16

Ross McCormack takes a shot. Save made by Adam Federici.

45:00 +0:51

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Luciano Becchio by Kaspars Gorkss. Robert Snodgrass crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right channel, clearance by Andy Griffin. Unfair challenge on Andy Griffin by Tom Lees results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Adam Federici.

38:55

Hal Robson-Kanu fouled by Paul Connolly, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Andy Griffin.

36:15

Michael Brown concedes a free kick for a foul on Simon Church. The ball is sent over by Mikele Leigertwood, Kaspars Gorkss produces a header from inside the area that goes over the crossbar.

34:52

The referee blows for offside. Adam Federici takes the free kick.

33:26

Unfair challenge on Adam Clayton by Mikele Leigertwood results in a free kick. Michael Brown takes the free kick.

30:01

Shot comes in from Ross McCormack from the free kick.

30:01 Booking

Booking The referee books Jobi McAnuff for unsporting behaviour.

29:51

Foul by Jobi McAnuff on Ross McCormack, free kick awarded.

28:14

Free kick crossed left-footed by Robert Snodgrass from right channel, Kaspars Gorkss makes a clearance.

28:14 Booking

Booking The referee shows Andy Griffin a yellow card.

28:09

Robert Snodgrass fouled by Andy Griffin, the ref awards a free kick.

23:05

The referee blows for offside. Direct free kick taken by Adam Federici.

20:36

Unfair challenge on Paul Connolly by Adam Le Fondre results in a free kick. Andy Lonergan takes the free kick.

19:39

Jobi McAnuff takes a shot. Andy Lonergan makes a save. Simon Church takes a shot. Patrick Kisnorbo makes a clearance. Corner taken left-footed by Hal Robson-Kanu, clearance by Tom Lees.

17:03

Corner taken left-footed by Hal Robson-Kanu to the near post, Luciano Becchio makes a clearance.

16:18

Inswinging corner taken by Hal Robson-Kanu from the right by-line played to the near post, Patrick Kisnorbo manages to make a clearance.

13:48

Jobi McAnuff produces a left-footed shot from the edge of the area and misses to the left of the target.

9:06

Simon Church is caught offside. Direct free kick taken by Andy Lonergan.

8:13

The referee blows for offside against Robert Snodgrass. Adam Federici restarts play with the free kick.

7:21

Alex Pearce gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Luciano Becchio. Free kick crossed right-footed by Michael Brown, Alex Pearce manages to make a clearance.

4:52

Andy Griffin challenges Adam Clayton unfairly and gives away a free kick. Adam Clayton restarts play with the free kick.

3:07

Danny Pugh is caught offside. Direct free kick taken by Adam Federici.

1:53

Assist by Jobi McAnuff.

1:53 Goal scored

Goal - Simon Church - Leeds 0 - 1 Reading Goal scored by Simon Church from deep inside the penalty box to the top left corner of the goal. Leeds 0-1 Reading.

0:00

The game kicks-off.

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