An eighth minute Goater goal gave the Royals a 1-0 win over Gillingham at the Prestfield Stadium, moving them to within touching distance of the top six.
Shaun Goater continued his impressive recent scoring run with his sixth in seven starts as Reading maintained their chase for a play-off spot with victory at Prestfield.
It was the Royals fourth successive win over their Kent rivals in the 99th meeting between the two clubs, with Goater's eighth minute lob proving the match winner.
It was the perfect way for Steve Coppell's side to bounce back from their 5-1 mauling at Rotherham a fortnight ago, but the fact that Reading scored first in that game would not have been lost on the travelling fans.
However, Gillingham failed to take advantage of a route back into the game ten minutes before half time when John Hills squandered a penalty.
The actual award left Reading disappointed but American goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann kept out the Gillngham defender's effort and the afternoon got no better for Andy Hessenthaler's side.
Reading started the better, winning two early corners and Bertrand Bossu had to keep out a Steve Sidwell effort.
However two minutes later the young Frenchman, Gillingham's FA Cup hero against Charlton, could only stand and watch as Goater's measured lob found the back of the net.
John Salako's header forward had caught the Gills reshuffled defence in two minds and Goater made the most of hesitant marking.
Reading had Andy Hughes and Ricky Newman booked before Hessenthaler won the dubious penalty, although he seemed to bounce off Ivar Ingimarsson in the box.
New boy Patrick Agyemang had a much quieter game than on his home debut against Bradford last month. He thought he had netted an equaliser, only to see an assistant referee flagging for offside.
The second half was a poor affair, despite Gillingham's interval reshuffle. Alan Pouton was sacrificed in place of Mamady Sidibe, but even with three strikers Gillingham found Reading difficult to break down.
Reading always looked likely to score a second and Bossu did well to push over a fierce drive from full-back Nicky Shorey.
Summing up Gillingham's afternoon was the fact that their best chance fell to a defender.
Barry Ashby couldn't believe the time he had at the far post, but could only send his header wide, and Danny Spiller marred an otherwise busy afternoon with one of the poorest free-kicks he is likely to take in his whole career.
Coppell is looking no further than Tuesday's clash against Burnley and played down reports that money was available for new signings.
Hessenthaler, meanwhile, is preparing his troops for a First Division survival battle, which begins at fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.