Half-time: Reading 0 Brentford 1

An outstanding strike from Ryan Woods gave Brentford a half-time lead at the Madejski Stadium.

Woods, signed in the summer from Shrewsbury, opened his account for the Bees with a 25-yard shot from right of centre, which flew into the opposite top corner.

The goal, on 17 minutes, came against the run of play as Reading had begun brightly.

Nick Blackman’s venomous free-kick flew just over the crossbar, while Hal Robson-Kanu forced a save from Bees keeper David Button.

Just after Woods’ goal, Daniel Williams had an effort from just outside the box which again narrowly cleared the bar.

In a watchable first half, John Swift and Alan Judge both had shots comfortably claimed by Royals keeper Jonathan Bond, and at the other end Button gathered from Oliver Norwood.

Brentford showed two changes from the 0-0 draw with Brighton, with Josh McEachran making his first start and Maxime Colin coming in for Nico Yennaris at right-back.

Reading: Bond; Gunter, McShane, Hector, Quinn; Norwood, Williams; Piazon, John, Blackman; Robson-Kanu.
Subs: Al-Habsi, Vydra, Sa, McCleary, Tshibola, Cooper, Liburd.

Brentford: Button; Colin, Dean, Tarkowski, Bidwell; Diagouraga, McEachran; Woods, Judge, Swift; Vibe.
Subs: Bonham, Yennaris, O’Connell, Saunders, Jota, Canos, Hofmann.