Fighting Spirit Provides Reds Victory

You'd be forgiven for thinking that Barnsley played a dirty game of football this afternoon at the Madejski Stadium, what with Reading being awarded no less than three penalties.

As it happens it was a fairly evenly contested affair, with the Reds coming out on top thanks mainly to Luke Steele.

Barnsley's Number 1 saved two of Reading's three penalties to keep the Tykes in with a chance of recording their first victory of the season and when the referee blew for time on 95 minutes it was no less than Barnsley deserved.

Goals either side of the break from Stephen Foster and Matty Done forged Barnsley an unlikely 2-0 lead against the much fancied Reading, with the Royals inevitably forcing 50% more shots on goal than the visitors.

But at 2-0 the scoreline barely told the story as Reading were awarded 2 penalties in the space of 60 seconds, 10 minutes into the second half, Ian Harte and Noel Hunt's spot-kicks both being foiled by the hero Luke Steele.

Done's 68th's minute strike that gave Barnsley the 2-0 lead took everyone by surprise as Reading pressed ever more for a way back into the game, but on 74 minutes the referee was on hand to award Reading a third penalty, which was duly dispatched by Robson-Kanu.

Despite intense pressure from the home side for an equaliser, Keith Hill's side hung on to claim 3 points for the first time this season and for the first time at the Madejski Stadium since their promotion season of 1997.

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