Martinez saves day

READING keeper Emiliano Martinez turned in a super show to all but relegate rock-bottom Ipswich – after almost having to miss the game.

Manager 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 this game decides nothing. We are still in the middle of a big war to avoid relegation.”

Ipswich boss Paul Lambert, with only 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.”

Lambert, who completed a two-game touchline ban, added: “We missed too many big chances and their keeper made some great saves.”

To rub salt into Ipswich’s wounds it was Nelson Oliveira, on loan from Norwich, who put the visitors ahead on 19 minutes.

Arsenal loanee Martinez (above) kept the hosts at bay, starting with a terrific save to deny Jon Nolan a 44th-minute equaliser. Then he really turned it on after the break as Ipswich pressed.

Martinez was finally beaten when half-time substitute Gwion Edwards lashed in his fifth goal of the season, a thunderous volley, on 83 minutes.

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.