Long not short on confidence

08 March 2011 22:30
Shane Long continued his marvellous form as Reading stepped up their late bid for a place in the npower Championship play-offs with a 3-1 win at Ipswich. Long has been unstoppable since the turn of the year and took his tally to 20 for the season with the opening goal as Brian McDermott`s side closed to within six points of the top six. Brian Howard swept in a corner from the left and Long stole in ahead of his marker to flick in a header at the near post. The Irishman has now scored 12 times in his last 15 games for Reading and will pose a threat for Manchester City when the sides meet in this weekend`s FA Cup quarter final. The win was wrapped up in the last five minutes by veteran Ian Harte`s trademark free-kick and a Noel Hunt finish which added a touch of gloss to a fine performance. Hunt broke a weak challenge in midfield and scampered away to round Marton Fulop and tap into an empty net. That made Connor Wickham`s goal in stoppage time a consolation. He fired in a low shot from a tight angle after Grant Leadbitter had found a way through.

Source: PA