Kemp strikes late as Stevenage dent Reading’s play-off hopes

Stevenage 1, Reading 0

Daniel Kemp’s late goal condemned Reading to a narrow defeat at Stevenage on Saturday, a result which leaves the Royals two points and two places outside of the League 1 play-off places with seven matches to play.

There have been twists and turns aplenty in recent weeks, and there’ll likely be some more to follow, but for now the Royals find themselves outside the top six and hoping to find a route back in.

 Having edged out Burton Albion 2-1 in mid-week with a late strike from Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan, this time the boot was on the other foot for Reading after a lacklustre performance at the Lamex Stadium.

 Kemp scored Stevenage’s late winner, sweeping the ball past Joel Pereira in the 85th minute, repeating his goal from the same fixture last season. In doing so, he lifted Stevenage above the Royals and up to sixth place, two points above Leam Richardson’s side with a game in hand over them as well.

 It was a first defeat in three for the Royals, but they’ve also won only once in their last four matches - hardly the form of a team hoping to challenge for promotion.

 Chances were few and far between in Hertfordshire, but it was the home side who had the better of them in the first half. Carl Piergianni volleyed over the crossbar in the first minute.

 Reading’s best chance of the half fell to Lewis Wing in the 16th minute, but his goal bound effort was bravely blocked. There were half-hearted appeals for a penalty when Ehibhatiomhan appeared to be nudged over by Stevenage keeper Filip Marschall before a home defender appeared to handle the ball in the box. Neither convinced referee Scott Oldham a penalty should be awarded.

  Stevenage stepped up their game in the second half and had the Royals penned in for spells.

 Paudie O'Connor managed to clear Jordan Roberts’ cross off the goal line early in the half and Matt Phillips lifted another attempt over the crossbar. Piergianni diverted a header wide of the far post and Jamie Reid was flagged offside after finding the net for the home side.

 Their pressure eventually told though when Kemp was picked out in the box in the 85th minute and he fired the ball past Pereira.

The Reading keeper made a smart save with his feet late on to deny Reid, but this was not a performance to raise the hopes of Royals’ fans.

They have seven league matches to play now, starting at home to 19th placed Wigan Athletic on Saturday.