Source: Daily_Mail
Nottingham Forest 3 Reading 4: Royals edge seven-goal thriller to dent Forest play-off hopes
Reading stepped up their belated challenge for a top-six finish with a sixth successive Championship win against faltering Forest. [LNB]Less than two months ago Forest were in second place and hot on the heels of leaders QPR. [LNB]But this third successive defeat leaves them without a win in nine games, which have yielded a paltry four points. [LNB] Third time lucky: Reading's Jimmy Kebe finally finds the net[LNB] [LNB]Royal wave: Reading boss Brian McDermott[LNB]They looked to have salvaged a draw when Lewis McGugan converted an88th-minute penalty after substitute Hal Robson-Kanu fouled ChrisGunter. [LNB]But Reading went ahead again in the 90th minute through Simon Church before Shane Long had a penalty saved by Lee Camp. [LNB]Reading had almost found themselves trailing inside three minutes.Gareth McCleary's shot was deflected straight to Kris Boyd, whosefollow-up effort forced a smart save from Alex McCarthy. [LNB]Forest escaped penalty appeals after Gunter brought down Long in the19th minute. But the visitors went in front from the resultingfree-kick, Ian Harte curling the ball beyond Camp's grasp. [LNB]Forest equalised in the 38th minute when referee Craig Pawsonpenalised Mikele Leigertwood for a challenge on McGugan, giving Boydthe chance to slot home the spot-kick. [LNB]Forest ignited a thrilling second half when Boyd played in RobertEarnshaw to hook home his seventh goal of the season in the 51stminute. [LNB]But Reading stunned the home fans with a double response in the space of eight minutes. [LNB]Jem Karacan equalised with a looping header from Jobi McAnuff'scorner. Then, after Jimmy Kebe twice went close, he made amends byfiring Reading ahead after Camp had half-saved Zurab Khizanishvili'sshot. [LNB]McGugan looked to have saved the day when he equalised from the spot. But Forest celebrations were cut short. [LNB]Church deflected Karacan's shot into the net and Luke Chambers wasthen pulled up for hand-ball. But Camp spared Forest further anguish bybeating out Long's penalty. [LNB]Bad day: Foerst boss Billy Davies say his team's bad run continue[LNB]Kebe latched on to Leigertwood's long pass before lobbing the advancing Camp but his effort bounced wide of the open goal. [LNB] Camp then pushed away another shot from Kebe following great linked up play between the Malian and Manset. [LNB]However, Kebe was not to be denied for a third time in quick succession. [LNB]Jobi McAnuff's corner broke to Zurab Khizanishvili whose shot wasblocked, but Kebe tucked in the rebound from six yards out. [LNB]Forest thought they had salvaged a point when substitute HalRobson-Kanu brought down Gunter and McGugan converted the resultingpenalty. However, Chambers turned the ball past Camp. [LNB]That was still not the end as an amazing game climaxed with a penalty save from Camp after Chambers had handled. [LNB] Scunthorpe 4 QPR 1: Garner brace halts Rangers chargeIpswich Town 2 Crystal Palace 1: Carson at the double to ground EaglesWatford 1 Hull City 2: Road rampage continues for Tigers [LNB] Explore more:People: Ian Harte, Lee Camp, Lewis McGugan, Jimmy Kebe
