Long makes Pilgrims pay penalty
09 Feb 2010 - 22:59:51
Shane Long hit a stoppage-time penalty as Reading edged closer to escaping the Coca-Cola Championship relegation zone with a vital 2-1 win over fellow strugglers Plymouth.The Republic of Ireland international had failed to register a single league strike all season until Brian McDermott was named as permanent manager last month but has now scored in three straight wins for the Royals after his brace denied the visitors a point.Long put the Royals ahead when a loose ball in midfield was poked forward and the forward sped away from the despairing challenge of Kari Arnason and confidently planted the ball across David Stockdale and into the far corner.To their credit, the visitors kept coming at Reading and drew level through Carl Fletcher in the 68th minute. A sweeping pass from the left flank found Chris Clark free at the far post and he cut the ball back for Kenny Cooper.The on-loan 1860 Munich striker saw a powerful shot blocked on the goalline, but the ball fell for captain Fletcher to drive home from eight yards.Both sides worked tirelessly to try and find a winner and it was the Royals who won a penalty when Chris Clark bundled over substitute Hal Robson-Kanu. Long stepped up and blasted his penalty down the middle - his fourth goal in three games - to leave Royals fans relieved.