On this day in 2016, Reading breezed into the FA Cup fifth round for the fifth time in seven years by beating Walsall 4-0 at the Madejski Stadium.

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Reading, winless since January 2 and sat 13th in the Championship, hosted promotion-chasing League One outfit Walsall in the FA Cup.

With memories of 2015's historic run to the FA Cup semi-final still fresh in the mind, Brian McDermott's side started their cup journey in Huddersfield for round three.

Denied by a last-minute equaliser at the John Smith's Stadium, the Royals came from two goals down to beat the Terriers 5-2, Matej Vydra picking up the matchball with a hattrick.

Whereas 2014/15 saw every tie on the road, except from a quarter-final replay, the 2015/16 run saw every side visit Berkshire.

Walsall, under the management of Sean O'Driscoll, were enjoying a memorable campaign which saw the promotion race run until the final day.

A young and exciting side, the likes of Tom Bradshaw, Rico Henry and Romaine Sawyers starred for the Saddlers and have gone on to enjoy careers across the top two divisions of English football.

Despite the two clubs being in varying form, the quality difference between the two divisions showed on the day, with the Royals easing to a 4-0 victory.

Two goals in each half did the job, with Sawyers coming close for the visiting Midlands outfit.

Hal Robson-Kanu, Vydra (two) and Danny Williams all hit the back of the net, with over 13,000 in attendance to celebrate the win.

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For Reading, the next round saw Premier League West Bromwich Albion beaten in front of nearly 20,000, one of the most recent memorable afternoons in RG2.

As with the season before, supporters' attention had turned from the league to the cup following mixed form in the Championship. Finishing 17th, a two place improvement on 19th the year before, McDermott would lead the club to his third quarter-final.

As with 2010 (Aston Villa) and 2011 (Manchester City), Premier League opposition would be the sides undoing. Alan Pardew's Crystal Palace won 2-0 in front of over 23,000 supporters, with the Eagles eventually reaching the final.

Walsall would suffer disappointment, missing out on promotion on the final day at the expense of Burton Albion and Wigan Athletic.

Sixth-placed Barnsley knocked the Saddlers out 6-1 on aggregate in the semi-final, beating Millwall at Wembley for promotion to the Championship.