Reading 2-1 Birmingham City

A brace from Andre Bikey was enough in the end to see off Birmingham and edge Reading closer to Premier League safety.

The Royals started brightly and almost took the lead in style with a rasping shot from Stephen Hunt that hit the crossbar. It was a set piece that broke the deadlock when Bikey glanced in John Oster's free-kick on 31 minutes.

After the break, the Mikael Forssell held off the Royals defence to cross low into the box for Mauro Zarate to slot in an equaliser. But Reading snatched a crucial victory when Bikey nodded into the bottom corner from Nicky Shorey's free-kick.

Match reports
Bikey's brace earns vital win (Reading FC)
A BK Double (Back the Boys)
Bikey brace sees off Blues (Sky Sports)
Bikey has Royals heading for safety (Setanta)
Andre Bikey’s rare double earns Reading breathing space (The Times)
Andre Bikey rides to Reading's rescue (The Telegraph)
Bikey Brace Sinks Birmingham (Goal.com)
Bikey doubles up to give Reading survival boost as Birmingham stutter (Daily Mail)
Reading 2-1 Birmingham City (BBC Sport)
Reading 2-1 Birmingham City (The Sun)
Reading claim vital win (Ananova)