Two goals from striker Pavel Pogrebnyak were enough to give Reading a 3-1 away victory over Derby County in the Championship.

Danny Guthrie accidentally created the game's first dangerous chance when his poor cross strangely evolved into a shot that looped just over Lee Grant in the County goal.

A quiet opening period soon came to life towards the end of the half when Reading's Alex McCarthy produced a fine save to keep out Chris Martin's curling effort, which looked headed for the corner.

McCarthy was called into action again minutes later when Jamie Ward cut in from the left and crashed a shot straight at the Reading keeper, leaving the teams to go in level at half time.

Reading came out quickest in the second half and scored with their first meaningful opportunity as Pogrebnyak made good use of a free kick from deep to head past Grant.

The visitors pinched another in the 62nd minute when Pogrebnyak delivered again to put the Royals into a 2-0 lead, this time side-footing a finish past Grant.

Derby then hit back with a sublime effort from highly-rated youngster Will Hughes, who curled over McCarthy and into the top corner.

However, Reading completed their victory in added time as Nick Blackman converted when the Royals broke on the counter to leave the final score at 3-1.