Huddersfield Town 0-1 Reading

Nick Blackman's goal gave Reading a narrow win over their Championship counterparts Huddersfield in a tie low on quality in the FA Cup third round.

After a scrappy first half James Vaughan spurned the game's best chance, heading over at the back post from Jack Robinson's cross from the left byeline.

Blackman finished low into the corner after Hal Robson-Kanu's pass with the game's only shot on target.

Jonathan Hogg picked up a late second yellow card as Huddersfield fell short.

With just a point separating the two sides in the middle of the Championship it was always likely to be a tight match and the first period saw no goalmouth action.

In a contest short of chances Vaughan should have tested Royals goalkeeper Mikkel Andersen when he was picked out by Robinson's back-post cross.

But Royals boss Steve Clarke replaced Jamie Mackie, who had been booked on the stroke of half-time, with Blackman at the break and the change proved crucial.

Reading moved the ball quickly from a throw-in and Robson-Kanu played in Blackman, whose low left-footed shot beat goalkeeper Alex Smithies.

Hogg received a second yellow card following an altercation with Danny Williams in the closing minutes as the lacklustre hosts failed to threaten Reading's goal.

Huddersfield manager Chris Powell:

"It was a flat game with no real quality. It's a shame because we took it seriously and didn't make wholesale changes.

"I put out an attacking side but we never got ourselves or the game going. The only shot on target was a goal.

"We were looking for some bright play and some enthusiasm but I am at a loss as to how it could be like that.

"There was an opportunity there for certain players to stake a claim in the team. It's hard to fathom."

Reading manager Steve Clarke:

"The referee made such a dramatic scene with Mackie. He intimated that the next foul and Mackie would be off. I thought that was very harsh.

"The referee put himself under pressure from then on and I wasn't prepared to take the risk. Rather than leave the decision to the referee I took Mackie off.

"Nick is a good finisher and I had every confidence he would score.

"It was a very good away performance but not a classic game. I told the players at half-time the best way to enjoy a poor game is to win it."