The Irishman headed home just after the half hour mark to net his eighth goal of the season and ensure that the Wanderers first ever trip to the Madejski wasn't a happy one.

The hosts aimed to secure their fourth straight victory in succession and looked good value for money early on but Bolton in contrast needed the three points having picked up just four points from the last six matches.

Midfield pair James Harper and Steve Sidwell gave a sign of Reading's early intent as they struck their attempts wide of Jussi Jaaskelainen's goal within the first five minutes.

Wanderers skipper Kevin Nolan then fired his effort straight at Royals goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann after being put through by team mate Kevin Davies for arguably the best chance of the opening half.

Lively Korean forward Seol Ki-Hyeon and the much coveted Sidwell again went close to breaking the deadlock for Reading but it was Doyle who opened the scoring on 33 minutes when converting a superb cross by the much travelled wide man John Oster.

Just before the stroke of half time Bolton's Nolan flashed the ball wide from the edge of the box with a half volley but no matter how much the Lancashire side pushed they could not make the required breakthrough.

Bolton launched a number of long throws into the box in the early part of the second half and a Gary Speed speciality found it's way through to Nolan who once again stabbed the ball wide of Hahnemann's goal.

The excellent Reading defender Ibrahima Sonko ensured that Nicolas Anelka and countryman El-Hadji Diouf where kept quiet throughout the afternoon and Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce took some proactive action on the hour when introducing both Ivan Campo and Ricardo Vaz-Te from the bench.

A second goal of the game was not forthcoming and Bolton nearly netted themselves an equaliser with ten minutes to go when Abdoulaye Faye headed an Ivan Campo free kick on target.

Unfortunately for Bolton and Faye the effort hit the side netting meaning that Reading went on to secure their fourth straight win. Next up, Bolton are back at the Reebok to face West Ham and Reading travel up North to take on Newcastle United.

Bolton Wanderers: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Nicky Hunt, Abdoulaye Faye, Abdoulaye Meite, Tal Ben-Haim (Henrik Pedersen), Kevin Nolan, Gary Speed (Ivan Campo), Stelios Giannakopoulos, Kevin Davies, Nicolas Anelka, El-Hadji Diouf (Ricardo Vaz-Te)

Subs Not Used: Idan Tal, Ali Al-Habsi (GK)

Reading: Marcus Hahnemann, Graeme Murty, Ibrahima Sonko, Ivar Ingimarsson, Nicky Shorey, John Oster (Brynjar Gunnarsson), Steve Sidwell, James Harper, Stephen Hunt, Seol Ki-Hyeon (Leroy Lita), Kevin Doyle

Subs Not Used: Andre Bikey, Shane Long, Adam Federici(GK)

Referee:

Alan Wiley

Attendance:

23,556

Booked:

Kevin Nolan (Bolton)

Tal Ben-Haim (Bolton)

Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton)

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