By Matthew Grant
October 20 2003

Reading came back from 2:1 down to produce a second consecutive win for new manager, Steve Coppell. Goals from Shaun Goater, John Mackie and a 94th minute winner from Nicky Forster secured the win against the vistors who can feel quite hard done by. Reading picked up there second consecutive three points thanks to a late Royal show. Preston had twice gone in the lead thanks to goals from Ricardo Fuller and Graham Alexander from the spot. But the match was full of controversy. When Nicky Forster was bought down in the box a penalty was awarded with Marlon Broomes picking up his second yellow and so was sent off. Then after Shaun Goater first penalty was saved the referee decided it had to be retaken after Goalkeeper Jonathan Gould had been adjudged to have come off his line before the penalty had been taken. Goater tucked away the resulting penalty making it one all. More controversial scenes happened before half time with Preston North End manager, Craig Brown being sent from the dug out after contesting the penalty with the referee. Brown watched the rest of the match from a TV down in the changing rooms.

HALF TIME: READING 1vs1 PNE

Into the second half and Reading carried on with the pressure against 10 man Preston. Though a counter attack from Preston led to there second goal of the game. Steven Sidwell brought down Richard Cresswell in the box. Graham Alexander sent Hahnerman the wrong way to make it a surprising lead to Preston. With the opponents sticking 10 men behind te ball it was difficult for Reading create. Though when chances came they were not taken, twice Reading hit the woodwork and then when they did score it was disallowed for handball. It looked like it was not going to be our day. Then manager Steve Coppell made a brave move and bought on youngster Bas Savage and he made an instant impact causing the Preston defence a number of Problems. It was also his persistence that won Reading the free kick which led to the equaliser. An excellent cross from veteran John Salako to the back post found the rising figure of John Mackie who stuck it in the far post to equalize once more with only 8 minutes of normal time to go. It looked like Reading were going to end up with a point with the majority of Reading fans leaving the game early. Then again another cross from Salako went across the face of goal and was stabbed in by Forster to sent the Royals faithful into dance with the now famous Tom Hark tune! It was hard on Preston who fought so hard with 10 men but it was Reading that went away winners.

FULL TIME: READING 3 vs 2 PNE

Man Of The Match: Going to Mackie this week, due to the fact that he fought through injury and got an important goal.

Ref Watch: Both the Ref and his officials were poor.

Attendance: 13,000

The Royals were lucky but again showed under the guidance of Steve Coppell that they can grind out results. Next game is at home once more to the re-arranged fixture of Walsall. Hope to see you there!

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