Reading 2 Grimsby 1

Last updated : 26 April 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Reading made certain of there place in the play-offs with a win over relegated Grimsby that was far more comfortable than the scoreline suggests.

On-loan midfielder Glenn Little scored his first goal for the club and Andy Hughes bagged his ninth of the season as the Royals eased into a two-goal lead before Michael Keane's injury-time consolation gave the final scoreline a flattering look.

Reading made a lightening start and were in front after 70 seconds.

The opener signalled a disappointing start to Greg Young's Grimsby debut as the centre back was caught out of position from Nicky Shorey's deep cross.

Striker Nicky Forster missed the ball but the unmarked Little was on hand to finish right-footed.

The home aside added a second with another incisive passing move midway through the first half.

Luke Chadwick picked out Hughes' forward run and the midfielder shook off his marker to create the space to fire home beyond keeper Danny Coyne.

The game was as good as over with three-quarters of the match still to play and it seemed simply a matter of how many Reading would score.

Chadwick saw a cross-shot hit the bar, Shorey's fierce rebound was beaten out by Coyne, who produced an even better save from the resulting corner as Forster latched on to a Ricky Newman downward header.

Reading keeper Marcus Hahnemann had to wait until the 55th minute for his first meaningful touch, a straight forward save from Campbell's 30-yard pot shot.

But as Reading eased off in an obvious attempt to save themselves for the final promotion push the visitors staged a late rally to snatch a consolation in the dying minutes.

Cooke smashed a shot against the bar with Hahnemann beaten and, seconds later, lively midfielder Keane blasted beyond the keeper to make it 2-1.

The win saw Reading set a new club record of 24 wins in a season, while the crowd of 20,273 secured an average home gate of 16,011 - another club record.