BOWEN GETS OFF TO DREAM START
... but it’s pain for Black Cat Parkinson
MATT Miazga popped up with a 98th-minute winner to help Mark Bowen’s reign as Reading manager get off to the perfect start.
The game against high-flying Preston was goalless until Miazga fired home at the death and lifted the Royals out of the relegation zone. A cautious Bowen, who needs to win over sceptical fans, said: “I thought that we deserved it, but with just one win in seven, we can’t go patting ourselves on the back.
“We’ll only do that when we get a run of results and start climbing that table.”
While it was joy for Bowen, it was pain for new Sunderland manager Phil Parkinson.
The Black Cats lost 1-0 at second-placed Wycombe, whose manager Gareth Ainsworth had been linked with the Sunderland job.
MARK Bowen saw his struggling Reading side grab a dramatic late winner to see off Preston at the Madejski Stadium.
Centre-back Matt Miazga struck deep into stoppage time, firing his shot into the back of the net after Jordan Obita’s effort was parried out by Declan Rudd.
New boss Bowen said: “When you get a last-gasp winner, a lot of managers – myself included – almost want to come in and say to the lads ‘You’ve earned it, have a day off tomorrow. We’ll start back on Monday’.
“But we can’t do that, we’ve got catching up to do.
“Sunday will be a normal day as usual. We’ll count up who’s fit and who’s not, we’ve got to recover right.
“With just one win in seven, we can’t go patting ourselves on the back.”
Reading had the better of the first half, with midfielders John Swift and Ovie Ejaria squandering openings.
Preston also had goalkeeper Declan Rudd to thank for a series of fine saves. Although Reading again dominated after the interval, Preston could have secured victory when David Nugent wasted a free header.
Bowen took over on Monday, and inherited a team that were without a win in six league matches, including five defeats.
Preston sat in third place in the table and were unbeaten in eight Championship games, winning five of them.
Preston began the brighter, with full-back Andy Hughes causing problems when going forward on the left flank. From a low Hughes cross, Tom Barkhuizen mis-controlled the ball in the six-yard area and allowed Reading goalkeeper Rafael to gather comfortably.
Preston continued to press but a dangerous free-kick from skipper Paul Gallagher narrowly missed all the bodies in a crowded home area.
Reading finally got going in attack, with left-back Jordan Obita releasing striker George Puscas.
But the Romania international tried an ambitious volley from a tight angle that flew over the bar.
Swift then fired in a powerful 20-yard free-kick that Rudd did well to tip around a post.
Preston responded when Barkhuizen set off on a mazy run along the right flank – only to finish with a weak effort.
Pele replied for the hosts, sending in a superb centre into the North End six-yard box.
Puscas arrived to meet it, but could manage only the slightest of touches.
Reading upped the tempo before half-time but Rudd made solid saves to deny Ejaria.
Preston launched a rare attack early in the second half and should have gone in front.
Darnell Fisher crossed from the right and Nugent, totally unmarked, nodded straight into the grasp of Rafael.
“It’s hard to take,” said manager Alex Neil. “But a harder one to take is when you play really well and lose.
“I don’t think we played well enough, albeit I don’t think that we deserved to lose.”