CLEMENT CAN EARN PARDON FROM ROYALS

READING

Meite 8, Kelly 45, Bacuna 66

BRISTOL CITY

Pack 23, Brownhill 45 PAUL CLEMENT was backed by Reading’s newest conscript in the battle to save his job.

The Royals boss gave a first start to Andy Rinomhota and was rewarded with a mature display from the 21-year-old that enabled Clement to dodge the bullet with a second successive home win.

Reading are still in trouble, but the smoke has cleared a little and Rinomhota (above) said: “All the players are backing the manager.

“We’re all still fighting for him, playing our hearts out. You could see the will and desire.”

Clemency for Clement was delivered by Leandro Bacuna, who scored the winner after Bristol City twice equalised.

It was only Reading’s fourth win in 16 games and the rumours of Steve Bruce arriving are likely to linger unless bottom club Ipswich are also beaten when they visit the Madejski on Saturday.

But if unity in adversity is required then Clement’s chances look good as some teams would have collapsed after twice conceding the lead.

Bacuna said: “We need to keep this home run going. If we can get the crowd behind us, keep them supporting us, believing in us, we could get something good.”

The Robins’ second successive defeat leaves them mid-table and was a microcosm of their season – some good bits, some very bad.

They fell behind to a soft Yakou Meite goal, levelled through Marlon Pack, conceded a cracker to Liam Kelly and responded again through Josh Brownhill.

City captain Pack said: “It is a recurring theme. Passages of our game were really good, but to concede three makes it tough.”