Reading 2-1 Cardiff

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A Steve Sidwell strike secured victory for Reading at home to Cardiff to hand caretaker boss Kevin Dillon his first win since he took over at the Madejski Stadium.

Peter Thorne gave Cardiff an early lead but Reading equalised through Nicky Forster.

And with 10 minutes left Forster slipped a pass to Sidwell and the midfielder drilled his right-foot effort into the top left corner to secure the three points.

Both sides began well with Cardiff midfielder John Robinson fizzing an effort just wide of the post with only one minute gone.

Reading counter-attacked immediately and Andy Hughes went close before Forster forced Neil Alexander into a full-stretch save.

The visitors took the lead after 12 minutes when Graham Kavanagh picked out Thorne with a cross from the right and the Cardiff striker drilled home.

Reading midfielder Scott Murray had a chance to level almost immediately but his curling effort was blocked by James Collins.

Reading threatened through Scott Murray and Forster before Robert Earnshaw went close to doubling the visitor's advantage as the half drew to a close, but Reading keeper Marcus Hahnemann parried his shot.

The Royals started the second half the strongest with Murray seeing a long-range effort blocked by defender Tony Vidmar and Sidwell drilled a left-foot drive wide of the post.

But they were indebted to the athleticism of Hahnemann after he produced two fabulous finger-tip saves to deny Thorne.

Reading's winner came after Murray picked up the ball on the flank and whipped the ball in to Forster who tucked the ball home for a deserved equaliser.

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Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Shorey, Brown, Williams, Murray, Sidwell, Harper, Hughes, Goater, Forster. Subs: Ashdown, Mackie, Salako, Watson, Tyson.

Cardiff: Alexander, Weston, Barker, Vidmar, Collins, Langley, Boland, Kavanagh, Robinson, Earnshaw, Thorne. Subs: Margetson, Bonner, Bowen, Gordon, Croft.

Referee: M Fletcher (Worcestershire).