Reading 0-1 Chesterfield

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Reading 0-1 Chesterfield

Reading's run of seven successive wins was brought to an end by Chesterfield as Jon Howard's solitary strike proved enough to secure a 1-0 victory.

The Derbyshire side grabbed the winning goal after 10 minutes, then held out against intense Reading pressure.

Howard's goal came from a Thomas Hitzlsperger cross and a knock-back by Sean Parrish, with Reading defender Graeme Murty also seeming to get a touch on the ball.

Chesterfield survived strong penalty appeals when Howard appeared to handle under pressure from Nicky Shorey, but referee Tony Bates indicated that the ball had struck Howard's chest.

Reading poured on the pressure with Chesterfield relying on the occasional counter-attack.

Jamie Cureton and Andy Hughes both missed good first-half chances for the Royals and 15 minutes from time Chesterfield keeper Nathan Abbey made a brilliant save to deny Cureton.

Reading: Ashdown, Murty, Viveash, Williams, Shorey, Hughes, Watson, Jones, Salako, Forster, Cureton. Subs: Malessa, Rougier, Harper, Mackie, Henderson.

Chesterfield: Abbey, Booty, Payne, Breckin, Edwards, Howard, D'Auria, Parrish, Hitzlsperger, Reeves, Beckett. Subs: Richmond, Nathan Smith, Williams, Willis, Richardson.

Referee: A Bates (Stoke on Trent).