Second half strikes enough to earn Reading FA Cup victory over Fleetwood Town

A much-changed Reading side are in the hat for the FA Cup Second Round after beating League Two Fleetwood Town 2-0 at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Under 3,700 supporters turned out for the visit of Charlie Adam's Cod Army as Ruben Selles made six changes.

Despite starting with an outfield average age of just 19, second half goals from Tyler Bindon and Jayden Wareham were enough for safe passage through in the prestigious competition.

David Button; Ben Elliott; Tivonge Rushesha; Mamadi Camara; Louie Holzman; Ashqar Ahmed and Shay Spencer all came in from the team that lost 4-1 at Stockport County on Tuesday, but it was two regulars who did the damage.

In a low-key affair, it took seven minutes for the first opening as Campbell cut in from the left and had an attempt deflected wide of the goal. Trading low-quality attempts for most of the early knockings, it was Mark Helm’s turn on 10 minutes to see an effort forced wide of the post courtesy of a defender.

Fleetwood’s best chance fell on 22 minutes as Phoenix Potter beat Ahmed out wide and delivered a dangerous cross for Ryan Graydon. The Cod Army’s number six, however, could only flick his effort wide of the far post.

Reading started to take control from the half-hour mark and really should have taken a lead into the break. First, Jayden Wareham fizzed one over the bar after some good work from Savage to win it in midfield, but perhaps the strikers best effort came two minutes later as Tivonge Rushesha’s long-range strike was only palmed away by David Harrington and into the path of Wareham, who could only see his follow-up effort smothered away.

Pressing hard for the opener in the first half, it took just three minutes for the net to bulge in the second period. Savage’s cross caused havoc in the penalty box and captain Bindon was on hand to fire his side ahead. Button was forced into a string of strong saves as Fleetwood gave it a good go, but Reading should have wrapped up the tie with some big chances of their own.

Controlling well in the box, Campbell could only fire over the crossbar from inside four yards while a strong press earned the Royals possession inside Fleetwood’s box, only for the chance to be smothered out after some overplaying.

Helm, who came close in the first half, continued to be the most likely Fleetwood scorer as he forced Button into a strong save low to his right after cutting inside.

With a thin squad, the likes of Michael Craig, Harvey Knibbs and Amadou Mbengue all entered the fray late on the help see the game out as the visitors continued to look like they could have a sting in the tail.

That was until five minutes to go as Knibbs' cut-back in the box found Wareham, who finally found the net and was rewarded for his hard-work throughout the afternoon.

The draw for the next round is on Sunday evening, live on BBC Two, while the Royals return to action on Tuesday at Cheltenham Town in the EFL Trophy.