Crock star Martinez a real downer for Lambert
READING goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez turned in a super show to punish rock-bottom Ipswich – after almost having to miss the game.
Boss Jose Gomes revealed: “He picked up a calf injury in the warm-up and we thought he would have to pull out.
“But he was very brave and said he wanted to play. He showed he is a very good goalkeeper.”
Gomes saw his team edge an enthralling basement battle to open up a 12-point gap on the Tractor Boys.
He added: “It is a great win but we’re still in the middle of a big war to avoid relegation.
“It is a very important three points, especially when we heard Rotherham had won.”
Ipswich boss Paul Lambert, who has only managed two wins from his 21 games in charge, said: “Time’s not on our side but until it is mathematically impossible for us to survive we won’t give in.
“We missed too many big chances and their keeper made some great saves.”
To rub salt into Ipswich’s wounds it was striker Nelson Oliveira, on loan from arch-rivals Norwich, who put the Royals in front.
The Portuguese hitman made it three goals in six games when he fired high into the net from 15 yards.
Arsenal loanee Martinez kept Ipswich at bay, starting with a terrific save to deny midfielder Jon Nolan a 44th-minute equaliser.
After the break, Martinez looked to have been beaten by one of his own players but prevented an own goal when he clawed away Andy Yiadom’s wayward header.
He was finally beaten when half-time sub Gwion Edwards lashed in his fifth goal of the season, a thunderous volley.
But Reading regained the lead in the 90th minute when Yakou Meite set up another sub, Mo Barrow, to slide the ball past Bartosz Bialkowski.
The home side carved out a number of chances to equalise but there was no way past Martinez, who was at full stretch to tip over another Edwards thunderbolt.
Skipper Luke Chambers saw a header slip narrowly wide before Collin Quaner was guilty of a similar finish right at the death.