Reading earn second away win of season with impressive Peterborough United victory

Reading put in perhaps their best all-round performance of the season to earn a 2-1 win over Peterborough United courtesy of two Harvey Knibbs strikes.

The former Cambridge United man took great pleasure in netting against his former rivals but note must be made of the defensive performance as the Royals shutout a free-scoring Posh side to earn just their second away win of the campaign.

As to be expected when visiting the home of one of the freest-scoring teams in the division, the Reading defenders were the busiest for most of the first half. That’s certainly not to say that they were the most successful, however, as the resolute rear-guard defended like their lives depended on it.

That, twinned with the Royals’ clinical attack, made for almost a perfect opening for the Royals. Joel Pereria made two big saves in the opening 10 minutes, but it was the 1,000 travelling supporters who were celebrating after Lewis Wing’s clever free kick was slammed home by Knibbs after the returning Sam Smith had forced Nicholas Bilokapic into a save with his face.

Joel Randall was constantly popping up in dangerous pockets around the box for the hosts and forced Pereira into a save on 13 minutes after Ricky Jade-Jones had beaten Amadou Mbengue for pace. Setting traps and springing on the hosts, Reading always looked composed in attack despite their attempts coming few and far between.

Against the run of play, Knibbs was wheeling away to celebrate again before the 25-minute mark as Charlie Savage expertly threaded the ball on for the forward to hold off the defenders and slot past the onrushing keeper to build a buffer.

Failing to create anything of note in the final 20 minutes of the half, the defence took a starring role as Jeriel Dorsett and Tyler Bindon continued to keep the Posh attack at bay. On the occasions that they did breach the back line, Pereira was bold and brave throughout to keep his clean sheet intact, most notably at the feet of Jade-Jones when it looked easier for the forward to score.

If supporters were impressed with the first-half, they would have been even more so after the break as the Royals did everything but score at a London Road feeling the full effects of Storm Bert. Within two minutes, Savage sent an effort fizzing off the crossbar from range and for the next 20 minutes it was the Posh who were chasing Royal shadows.

Chem Campbell found Wing in the box and his effort was smothered by Bilokapic while both Knibbs and Smith saw efforts blocked by the defence or goalkeeper.

All the while, Dorsett and substitute Abraham Kanu continued to impress with big tackles and blocks keeping the likes of Kwame Poku and Jade-Jones out.

As the match entered the final 10 minutes, Player of the Month Poku failed to hit the target even when sent clear of the defenders in a foot-race.

Ben Elliott should have killed the game off with five minutes remaining when Jayden Wareham won possession high and cut the ball into the box for the onrushing midfielder, only for Bilokapic to save with his feet.

Emmanuel Fernandez pulled one back for the hosts after a period of pressure, slamming into the roof of the net with three minutes remaining. Bombarding the penalty box, even sending their goalkeeper up, the Royals held on to take a vital three points back to Berkshire.

Facing a quick turnaround, the Royals head to Barnsley on Tuesday.