Ehibhatiomhan fires Reading into play-off places with late winner at Burton

Burton Albion 1, Reading 2

Reading FC hoisted themselves into the League 1 play-off places thanks to a dramatic victory over Burton Albion on Tuesday evening, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan heading home their late winner at the Pirelli Stadium.

The Royals have been flirting with the top six for the past few weeks, but their advances were knocked back by last week’s 1-0 defeat at Mansfield and Saturday’s 2-2 draw at home to Plymouth Argyle at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

On Tuesday evening they finally managed to drag themselves above the dotted line - above both Stevenage and Huddersfield Town - after coming from behind to beat their hosts with goals from Kami Doyle and Ehibhatiomhan.

Burton Albion had led through George Evans’ strike from distance in the 25th minute, but Doyle replied in kind with an equally spectacular effort eight minutes later.

The game was well poised, and the teams were well matched at the break, but the Royals’ pacy front pair of Kadan Young and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan often threatened to get in behind the Burton back line in the second half.

The hosts valiantly kept them quiet until the 88th minute when a Lewis Wing free kick was swept back into the danger area by Finley Burns.  Ehibhatiomhan was on hand to head past Brad Collins and snatch a dramatic winner in front of the 400 travelling supporters.

The Royals were required to put their bodies on the line to protect that lead as Paudie O'Connor and Derrick Williams made huge blocks in the closing stages.

Reading next travel to eighth placed Stevenage on Saturday with both teams still very much in the fight for a play-off spot.