Reading continue to fire

Adam Le Fondre came off the bench to fire Reading ever closer to the Barclays Premier League at promotion rivals Southampton last night.

The former Rotherham striker netted twice after coming on in the 64th minute to swing the match in the Royals’ favour.

Jason Roberts headed the visitors ahead after 19 minutes but Rickie Lambert levelled three minutes into the second half as Southampton continued to press.

Substitute Le Fondre put Reading back ahead in the 72nd minute and then ended any doubt over Reading’s fifth successive league win with a tidy finish in stoppage time.

SOUTHAMPTON: Davis, Butterfield, Fonte, Hooiveld, Fox, Chaplow (De Ridder 53), Hammond (Do Prado 76), Cork, Lallana, Sharp, Lambert.

READING: Federici, Cummings, Pearce, Gorkss, Harte, Kebe, Mullins, Tabb (Le Fondre 64), McAnuff, Roberts (Afobe 77), Hunt.

Referee: Mike Dean.

npower League 2: Barnet 1 Hereford 1