Reading 3-1 Nottingham Forest: Royals ease pressure on Jaap Stam

Nottingham Forest's promising push towards the Championship play-off places came to an abrupt halt when they lost 3-1 at lowly Reading.

John Swift scored early on in the game for Reading and added a second with 20 minutes to go. Forest forced home goalkeeper Vito Mannone into a string of fine saves in the second half but were undone when their own keeper, Jordan Smith, diverted Sone Aluko's cross-shot into his own net. Ben Osborn grabbed a consolation for Forest with four minutes left.

Forest went into the game in good form, with three wins in their previous four matches. Struggling Reading had not won at home in five games in all competitions since late August and lost 2-0 to Middlesbrough at Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

Forest began the brighter, with Jason Cummings taking advantage of slack home defending only to drive over from a tight angle. Reading responded immediately. Swift saw a goalbound shot blocked and Chris Gunter's 20-yard effort was comfortably saved by Jordan Smith.

Their gathering momentum was rewarded in the 13th minute when they went ahead from a quick break. Mo Barrow fed the overlapping Leandro Bacuna, whose eventual low cross was expertly turned in by Swift for his first goal of the season.

Forest replied quickly through David Vaughan, but his long-distance attempt flew high and wide. Reading regained control, with Jordan Smith again saving from Gunter and then from the glancing header of Sam Smith, the Reading striker.

Swift had the opportunity to add a second goal on the half-hour mark but, though on target, his effort did not have the power to trouble Jordan Smith.

Twice Reading could have increased their lead before the break. Sam Smith somehow miscued a header from close range, from a Bacuna cross, then Jordan Smith did well to keep out a piledriver from Bacuna.

Forest appeared reinvigorated after the break and could have levelled two minutes into the period. Osborn went through alone but took too long over his shot and allowed Mannone to make a smothering save.

Mannone was called into action again soon after, when diving full length to push away a fierce 25-yard drive from Liam Bridcutt. Having just about survived, Reading mounted a pacy break that was reminiscent of the opening goal and went further ahead in the 70th minute when Swift touched home after exchanging neat passes with Barrow.

Mannone then made superb saves to deny Kieran Dowell and Tyler Walker before Jordan Smith erred when allowing Aluko's powerful effort into his own net. Osborn fired in well-struck shot in the 86th minute, but it was too little, too late for Forest.

The managers

Jaap Stam: "Everyone knows John's qualities. He has been a bit unlucky the past couple of months with injuries. Every time he has had to get back into it and get his match fitness as well. He's been playing and training well and looking fresh and sharp. He got two great goals tonight. They were very important goals for us.

"The last few games we haven't had the results that we wanted but, in the majority of those, we played well. Quite a few times, you don't get the results that you want and deserve. A lot of people then think you are not playing well but that's not the case. Tonight we've again worked very hard and scored the goals that we needed to."

Mark Warburton: "Frustration? Very much so. We went in [at half time] 1-0 down but it should have been 2-0 down. We didn't deserve anything in the first half. Our tempo and intensity gave Reading too much time and space in which to play. That was not us at all. Reading are in a false league position and we knew tonight that if we weren't at it, we would get hurt.

"Yes, a few words were said at the break, and we came out and showed a really positive reaction. It was a completely different game in the second half and we had chances to score. We knew that if we could score, we'd quieten the home crowd. We could have had four or five goals in the second half. Even at 2-0 down, if we score then it's a different game. And we've had some excellent chances. So frustration. Absolutely."