Reading produced a rousing late finish to snatch victory from Preston North End and make it two wins from two for new boss Steve Coppell.
North End had looked set for a fourth successive victory with ten minutes left, despite having had to play with ten men for nearly an hour following Marlon Broomes' second yellow card.
Ricardo Fuller and a Graham Alexander penalty had Craig Brown's men in the driving seat, with Shaun Goater replying in between for the home side.
But a late header from defender John Mackie and an injury-time effort from top scorer Nicky Forster secured a dramatic victory for Reading.
Fuller fired Preston ahead midway through the first half when he cut in from the left wing and hit a low shot which squirmed through the hands of home keeper Marcus Hahnemann.
But Reading were handed a way back in controversial circumstances seven minutes before half time.
There was no doubting the award of a spot kick after Broomes pulled back Forster to pick up his second yellow card of the game. But the controversy surrounded the penalty being retaken after Jonathan Gould had superbly pushed Goater's spot kick against a post, only to be adjudged to have moved too early.
Goater held his nerve to beat Gould at the second attempt and Reading looked set to push on for victory against the ten-men.
But Preston had other ideas and deservedly went in front with a penalty of their own eight minutes into the second half, when Steve Sidwell clipped the ankles of Richard Cresswell and Alexander confidently stroked North End in front.
Preston should have had another spot kick when Mackie clearly upended Fuller, only for the Jamaican international to receive a yellow card for diving.
Reading sensed a reprieve and were denied an equaliser when Goater fired home at the second attempt but saw his effort ruled out for handball, before striking the woodwork twice.
But Coppell's side were back on level terms for a second time eight minutes from time when substitute Bas Savage was fouled on the left wing, allowing fellow replacement John Salako to swing over a free-kick which Mackie headed in at the far post.
And former England international Salako turned provider again four minutes into stoppage time when Forster finished off his inviting cross.