Reading 2-1 Brighton & Hove Albion

Reading forward Jamie Mackie has seven goals for the season

Jamie Mackie scored twice as Reading ended a run of three successive home defeats with victory over Brighton at the Madejski Stadium.

The Royals were asked by boss Steve Clarke to show the same form as they had in reaching the FA Cup last eight.

And they responded as Mackie smashed in from 18 yards after 24 minutes.

Chris O'Grady equalised in the 53rd minute with a penalty after Jake Cooper fouled Emmanuel Ledesma but Mackie then struck from 25 yards.

The win means Reading move four points above Brighton and 13 points clear of the Championship relegation zone.

Clarke's side will hope that a home win will give them added confidence ahead of their FA Cup replay against League One side Bradford at the Madejski next Monday, which will be shown live on BBC One.

The winners will take on Arsenal in the semi-finals at Wembley.

Chris O'Grady's penalty was his fourth goal of the season

The hosts began strongly with decent chances falling to Cooper and Hal Robson-Kanu.

But Brighton - with only three away league wins all season - should have taken the lead when former Reading defender Greg Halford headed tamely towards goal from Ledesma's free-kick.

It proved a costly miss, as Reading went ahead after a weak clearance from Brighton goalkeeper David Stockdale.

Hope Akpan latched on to it and released Mackie, who strode forward and fired a fierce drive past the keeper.

Reading could have gone further ahead but after a relatively tame first half, Brighton equalised from the spot.

Cooper clumsily pushed Ledesma over in the area and O'Grady easily despatched the kick.

Three minutes later, Reading regained their lead. Mackie cut in from the right flank and sent a powerful low shot skidding past Stockdale.

Nick Blackman twice had chances as Reading continued to dominate and they held on comfortably for a much-needed win.

Reading boss Steve Clarke: "It gives us a lift in the league and that's what we needed. We knew the game was crucial because Brighton were just below us in the league, so it was a big win for us.

"A home performance was important because we had lost the last three and not scored any goals. But I thought Jamie deservedly put us in front.

"We showed what we showed in recent weeks - grit, character and determination - got ourselves in front again and never looked like losing after that."

Brighton boss Chris Hughton: "We were better in the second half, it's a difficult pitch to play on and they played to their strengths.

"The most disappointing thing was having fought to get back into the game in the second half, we needed to keep the score at 1-1 for a longer a period of time. We conceded again, albeit to a fabulous strike, but we have to defend better for both goals."