Reading 2-0 Southampton

Reading striker Leroy Lita enjoys his 14th goal of the season

Reading stretched their Championship lead to 13 points with a professional victory over struggling Southampton.

The lively Leroy Lita took advantage of some casual defending to tap in the opener from Glen Little's cross.

Kevin Doyle made it 2-0 before the break, brilliantly controlling Marcus Hahnemann's long clearance and fizzing a low shot into the bottom corner.

Saints had their chances, notably Richard Chaplow who hit the bar with a header, but the Royals eased home.

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Reading boss Steve Coppell on promotion:
"We are three points closer but we just take one game at a time and keep ticking them off.

"There is a long way to go and we want to test ourselves one game at a time.

"I have been asked whether I have a point target, but the only target I have is April 29 or 30 or whenever it is the league finishes.

"I can't say it's enjoyable for me at the moment. I will have to wait till the end of the season before I can say that and most managers will tell you the same thing."

Southampton manager George Burley:
"I was happy with the work-rate because we matched Reading and they play at a very high tempo.

"I have had to restructure squads at Ipswich, Derby and Hearts but this is the most drastic with 17 players having gone out already.

"When the summer comes, I hope to get some more permanent signings in. We tried in January but only managed to bring Alexander Ostlund in on a permanent basis."

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Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Little, Sidwell, Harper, Convey (Hunt 81), Lita (Kitson 76), Doyle.
Subs Not Used: Oster, Stack, Gunnarsson.

Goals: Lita 16, Doyle 38.

Southampton: Bialkowski, Ostlund, Lundekvam, Powell, Higginbotham, Potter, Wright, Chaplow, Dyer (Surman 70), Rasiak, Madsen (Jones 81).
Subs Not Used: Smith, Baird, Blackstock.

Booked: Ostlund.

Att: 23,845

Ref: A D'Urso (Essex).