READING START

Late goal sparks a right Royal knees-up

Relite. Mikele Leigertwood was the toast of Berkshire as he secured promotion to the Barclays Premier League with an 81st-minute winner.

The final whistle was greeted with a triumphant pitch invasion by the home supporters who can now look forward to Manchester United and Chelsea visiting the Madejski Stadium next season.

But Reading were made to sweat for their moment of glory by a Nottingham Forest side whose own safety was confirmed by Coventry’s defeat.

The champagne was on ice for the Championship leaders, with promotion within touching distance.

But a celebratory tipple was the last thing on Brian Mcdermott’s mind ahead of kick- off as the Reading manager tried to keep his side focused on the task ahead, despite the prospect of rubbing shoulders with the likes of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie next season.

Dampening the party atmosphere among the home support, however, was a harder task as deafening cries of ‘we are going up’ echoed around the stadium before kick-off.

Reading knew what was required: better West Ham’s result at Bristol EADING enjoyed a right Royal knees up last night as they booked their place among England’s City and they were a Premier League side again. Not that Forest were bothered one iota by that.

A run of one defeat in seven games ahead of last night’s clash had left Steve Cotterill’s side on the brink of Championship safety, and the size of the prize in front of Reading looked to have got the better of them as they got off to a timid start.

But, as news filtered through of West Ham taking the lead at Ashton Gate, Reading began to take a grip. Wingers Jobi Mcanuff and Jimmy Kebe started to cause problems, while Jason Roberts’ strength was keeping centre backs Joel Lynch and Luke Chambers well occupied. As the home crowd reacted to Bristol City’s equaliser against the Hammers, Mcdermott’s men thought they had gone ahead in the 20th minute.

Noel Hunt beat Forest keeper Lee Camp to a looping Mcanuff cross and the Irishman’s header hit the bar before Roberts headed into an unguarded net from close range.

But the on-loan forward’s glee was shortlived as referee Gavin Ward chalked off the effort, ruling Hunt had impeded Camp.

Three minutes later there was more action in Forest’s goalmouth as defenders Kaspars Gorkss and Scott Wootton contested a header from Ian Harte’s free-kick.

Instead of the ball ending up in the back of net, both Gorkss and Wootton were left on the deck in the six-yard box after a nasty looking clash of heads which left both needing extensive treatment.

Dexter Blackstock fired a timely reminder to Reading in the 31st minute, unleashing a smart leftfoot shot after turning Alex Pearce excellently. Adam Federici did well to hold the effort.

Hayden Mullins’ 18-yard strike seven minutes from the break was well parried by Camp as the promotion chasers turned up the heat. An unmarked Hunt missed the first chance of the second half as he sent his header from Kebe’s well-flighted cross wide.

The Irishman missed again moments later as he sent another header wide from Harte’s dangerous looking centre.

But Forest came mightily close to taking a spectacular lead and putting the party on hold in the 57th minute. Lewis Mcgugan’s corner caused problems and full back George Elokobi sent an acrobatic overhead kick inches over.

Mcdermott responded by sending on supersub Adam Le Fondre — the hero of last Friday’s win over