Harvey Knibbs' 89th minute penalty ensured Reading beat Bolton Wanderers 1-0, ending a three-match losing run.

The Royals had endured a tough week, losing Sam Smith to Wrexham on Friday, and supporter apathy had hit an all-time high.

However, a win over Bolton in Steven Schumacher's first match in charge ensured they kept pace with the play-offs.

An even start, Reading enjoyed plenty of the ball and knocked it around confidently after a trio of defeats in quick succession. Bolton looked comfortable and neither side looked too keen to play much football on what was a cloggy pitch by modern standards. Neither side had much opportunity to build momentum, and any that had been acquired were lost when the two teams were given a break as Victor Adeboyejo received treatment for a head injury.

Picking up around the 20-minute mark, Aaron Collins had the first effort, firing wide from the edge of the box. Heading up the other end for a sight of goal themselves, Charlie Savage’s cross was met in the box by Chem Campbell, but his header was caught by former Royal Luke Southwood in the net.

Josh Sheehan and Collins again tried their luck from the edge of the box, failing to trouble the goal or the stoic back line of Reading. Collins, who hit a hattrick in the reverse fixture in September, was denied by a big tackle from Michael Craig as he bared down on goal, and Periera denied him even more impressively shortly after as Harvey Knibbs’ tackle diverted back into the danger area for the former Bristol Rovers forward to hit.

A much more exciting half for those in attendance, both sides saw chances come and go in an open match of football. On the hour mark came one of the Royals' best chances as a high press saw them win the ball in on goal. Despite three forwards fighting to convert the chance, George Thomason was able to clear the effort on the goal line and keep the scores level.

Joel Randall, bursting through the defence, forced Pereira into a strong save and only two minutes later Sheehan clattered the crossbar directly from his free-kick. Savage should have done better with 15 minutes remaining as Southwood punched a cross to the edge of the box, troubling the corner flag more than the net with his first-time strike.

The Trotters should have taken the lead with less than ten minutes remaining as Collins was threaded through on goal, his attempt to prod past the onrushing Pereira fell just wide. With less than two minutes, Reading had their moment as handball gave them their first home penalty in over a year. Kion Etete handled and Knibbs converted from the spot to put them into the lead.

Holding on, and almost extending the lead through Wareham, the Royals moved back above their opponents in the League One table. Attention now turns to Monday's transfer deadline day and keeping hold of key players.