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Brian Howard's 59th minute strike sealed United's first win over Reading since 2002 and increased their lofty position in the league table. In not the prettiest of games you'll ever see, Kalifa Cisse and Jamie Ward both went off on a stretcher but in different incidents. Reading hit the upright when Steve Kitson's header struck the crossbar but the only goal of the game was netted just a couple of minutes later when Matt Kilgallon's header also rebounded off the crossbar but into the path of Brian Howard how tucked home his second goal of the season to send United into the automatic promotion places.
Manager Kevin Blackwell made two changes to the side which narrowly beat Barnsley in midweek. Leigh Bromby and David Cotterill were swapped with Matt Kilgallon who returned from injury, and Brian Howard respectively. Darius Henderson and Greg Halford both began the game against their former club whilst Chris Armstrong featured for the Royals.
Halford tested Reading's backline with one of his illustrious throws but Hahnemann collected. He sent the Royals on the attack with his kick, Kitson got on the end of it but steered the ball wide of Kenny's far post.
Henderson and Ward then created a goal-scoring opportunity after neat work from Kilgallon but Halford volleyed wide. Halford shortly after did see his effort hit the back of the net but he was offside - after an eagerly anticipated corner, Halford pounced to hammer the ball into the net from close-range but the linesman had his flag raised for offside.
21 minutes in, Matejovsky's tricky volley was calmly collected by the Blades goalkeeper. Howard was cautioned when he was penalised for allegedly elbowing former Blades Chris Armstrong. The yellow card means Howard will miss United's battles with Burnley and Swansea.
Henderson and Cisse challenged for the bouncing ball, but Cisse came off worse and need medical treatment for several minutes but he was later stretchered off. Henderson leapt up well to head towards goal but the former Watford man who was surrounded by defenders, nodded straight at Hahnemann.
A few minutes later, the ball found Michael Duberry in a delicious position inside the area but he showed why he's a defender when he blasted high, wide and not at hall handsome.
Due to the on-field treatment Kalifa Cisse required earlier in the game, seven minutes of added time were indicated. Shortly after the fourth official held up his board, Naughton swung in a cross which appeared to have struck the arm of Bikey but the referee handed the home side a free-kick for a separate incident.
Bikey who almost conceded a penalty was involved in some attacking action at the other end. He intelligently lobbed the ball over the defender but disappointingly volleyed over from a promising position.
Half-time arrived and both managers opted not to make a change. The Royals continued to load the pressure on the Blades when two penalty appeals occurred. Naysmith looked to have handled from Doyle's cross but referee Kevin Friend waved away. Then Kitson easily fell to the surface when Kilgallon covered ground and saw the ball out for a goal-kick.
Jay Tabb who recently came on as a substitute for Reading was caught by Brian Howard who was already on a yellow card, but thankfully for the Blades the referee only awarded a free-kick and no further action was taken.
John-Joe O'Toole who made the headlines in the midweek game with Barnsley had a relatively quiet game and was soon substituted - Craig Beattie replaced the Republic of Ireland international.
Confusion between Brian Howard and Jamie Ward allowed Reading to press when Kebe's cross was headed onto Paddy Kenny's crossbar by Dave Kitson. Kenny who was rooted to the ground had some choice of words to discuss with his back four who allowed Reading to swing the cross in.
Two minutes later, the only goal of the game was scored.
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As soon as play recommenced, Reading broke. Dave Kitson looped his foot round the ball to send it flying towards the top-corner of the goal but Paddy Kenny magnificently tipped over to protect United's one nil lead.
Armstrong clearly fouled Beattie and despite the protests, the free-kick on the edge of the area stood. Stupidly, United gave the ball straight to Reading when a mix-up between Halford, Montgomery and Naughton occurred - Kilgallon prevented Doyle's effort.
Kenny parried Hunt's free-kick and then United broke on the counter-attack. Greg Halford launched the ball over to the left-hand side to Craig Beattie who brought the ball down well but blasted straight at the keeper.
Duberry went in heavy on Jamie Ward, despite claims from the defender that he got the ball, he received a yellow card. Ward who was clearly in pain were the second player to be stretchered off in the game - David Cotterill replaced the former Chesterfield hit-man.
Five minutes later, Halford's free-kick was deflected wide. On the 87th minute mark, Tabb smashed wide much to the relief of United's defenders who were heaped with shots and crosses for the last 5 minutes.
Noel Hunt nodded wide in the opening stages of the six minutes of added time indicated by the fourth official. Montgomery's clever through ball met Darius Henderson who didn't have much time to think about his shot and blasted over. Goalscorer Brian Howard was replaced by Leigh Bromby who went out to help at the back in the closing stages.
Beattie saw his 95th minute effort parried away by Hahnemann and that was the last real drama of the match. The referee blew his full-time whistle shortly after, much to the delight of the travelling away contingent. United beat Reading for the first time in ten games, leapfrog Birmingham into second - albeit possibly only for 24 hours, make it five wins on the bounce, only two losses in the last twenty one games, extend the run to ten games undefeated, stretch the unbeaten away record to fifteen games in a row, and they still haven't lost in their illustrious black away kit in the league this season! The final score from the Madejski Stadium is, Reading 0:1 Sheffield United.