Jamie Mackie scored the only goal of the game to fire Reading to a 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town at Portman Road this afternoon and put a dent in Mick McCarthy's side's promotion hopes in the Championship.
The Tractor Boys started the game well as Daryl Murphy raided forward and beat several defenders with a surging run into the box, but his strike was well saved by Adam Federici.
Mick McCarthy's men were in the ascendency in the early stages of the match and Federici was forced into another good stop as he held Kevin Bru's stinging drive from 25 yards.
Despite Ipswich's dominance, it was the visitors who took the lead as Mackie found the bottom corner with a long-range strike which beat the outstretched hand of Bartosz Bialkowski.
The Tractor Boys had a decent opportunity to draw level when Freddie Sears raided down the wing and lifted a cross to the back post for the run of Jay Tabb, who could only guide his header wide of the target.
In the second half, the visitors came close to doubling their lead when they won a free kick just outside the box which was taken by Nathaniel Chalobah. The midfielder's strike looked destined for the net, but Bialkowski made an impressive stop to keep his side in the match.
Ipswich should have pulled themselves level when Tabb managed to beat the offside trap down the left flank, but he could only drag his effort wide of the target.
The home side went close again as Federici made a crucial save to deny Sears from close range, after the striker had powered Paul Anderson's cross towards the near post.
Reading should have wrapped up the points in the dying minutes when Garath McCleary teed up Mackie in the penalty area, who had the winger wide open for a return pass, but chose to shoot himself and missed the target.
There was still time in the game for Murphy to threaten with a late header from Anderson's free kick, but his effort went just wide of the post as the visitors held out for the three points.
Simon Sinclair
