Reading beat Northampton Town 4-1 to earn a Boxing Day victory at the Select Car Leasing Stadium- a first for birthday boy Noel Hunt as manager.

A comfortable afternoon for the play-off chasing Royals in front of a crowd of just over 12,000, goals from Harvey Knibbs, Sam Smith, Charlie Savage and Mamadi Camara did the job.

The Cobblers did improve after the break and Tom Eaves got on the scoresheet for Kevin Nolan's side in the former West Ham captain's first match as manager.

It took only three minutes for an early nerves to be alleviated as Charlie Savage’s deep free-kick was not dealt with by the Cobblers and after a game of head tennis, Smith’s flick on was side-footed into the far corner by Knibbs to open the scoring.

Firmly in control throughout the half, Joel Pereira had little to do as Northampton were unable to get anything going in the final third. Mbengue forced Nik Tzanev into a save after 15 minutes, but his floated, side-footed effort from distance was not a test for the shot stopper.

Just before the half-hour mark, Smith should have had his first goal as Lewis Wing’s delightful cross was nodded just wide of the post by the striker. However, he need not have worried for long as within 60 seconds he was on the scoresheet. A long ball over the top of the Northampton defence found Smith, unmarked, barring down on goal. With plenty of time to pick a spot, the marksman gave the keeper the eyes and side-footed into the back of the net to put some daylight between the teams.

Cameron McGheehan’s long-range strike was the only real sight Northampton had on goal, apart from Eaves’ speculative volley in the first 10 minutes, and neither troubled the Portuguese goalkeeper.

It was a much poorer spectacle after the break, neither side capable of forcing either goalkeeper into action too often as it turned into a war of attrition.

Northampton’s best chance of getting back into the game came from former Luton Town midfielder McGheehan. Striker Eaves pulled out wide and delivered a dangerous cross into the box. McGheehan chested the ball down but could only fire his powerful strike both high and wide.

Knowing the onus was on the Cobblers, the Royals seemed content battling hard and looking to kill the game on the counter, Knibbs coming close to adding a second, but his strike was skewed over his own crossbar by a Northampton defender.

With their first effort on target of the half, with 15 minutes remaining, Reading killed the game as the ball fell to Savage on the edge of the box and the Wales international picked out the bottom corner with his curling effort.

Eaves did eventually pull one back for the visitors, lifting the ball over Pereira at his near-post, to give the 508 travelling fans something to cheer- albeit ironically for most.

It was Reading who had the final say, however, as Camara hit a rocket into the top corner from close range after clever work on the left-hand-side.

Hunt- who turned 42 today- could finally celebrate a first win at the helm over two spells and the victory lifted the Royals back into the play-offs. In the thick of a busy festive schedule, Mansfield Town visit the Select Car Leasing Stadium for the first time on Sunday.