Hull City 2-1 Reading

Jake Livermore's goal earned Hull an eighth win in 11 league games at home this season

Hull City closed the gap on the Championship's top two to two points as Jake Livermore's late goal defeated managerless Reading at the KC Stadium.

Livermore fired in the winner in the 90th minute after a goalmouth scramble.

Nick Blackman finished a well-worked move with a powerful angled shot into the top corner to put Reading ahead.

Abel Hernandez tucked in a loose ball from six yards to equalise for the hosts after half-time before captain Livermore secured a last-gasp victory.

Hull had looked in danger of a second home defeat of the season at the interval as, with Martin Kuhl in caretaker charge for the second time, the Royals were good value for their half-time lead.

Danny Williams and Blackman were both denied by home goalkeeper Allan McGregor before the latter netted his 10th league goal of the season, while the winger also hit the crossbar with a free-kick.

Reading goalkeeper Jonathan Bond impressed in the second period, keeping out efforts from Moses Odubajo and Chuba Akpom before Hernandez equalised.

Hull's second-half dominance was rewarded by Livermore's late winner, and the Tigers held out for nearly eight minutes of stoppage time to clinch an eighth home win of the campaign.

Hull 2-1 Reading as it happened

Hull City manager Steve Bruce told BBC Radio Humberside:

"First half in particular, we were nowhere near the level which is required.

"To be fair to them, they made it difficult. They played another centre-back in front of their back four, trying to stop the supply into the front men and we found it very difficult.

"We changed a few things in the second half, but mainly it was the attitude to get after the ball and get better after it.

"Thankfully, in the second half the crowd played their part too, getting behind the team which was good.

"We didn't start well and that's crept in now against Leeds and Bristol City and I can go back now for two or three games and I think what on earth are we doing at the start of the game?"

Reading caretaker manager Martin Kuhl told BBC Radio Berkshire:

"I thought the shift the lads put in was fantastic.

"I thought they played some good football, created some good chances and scored a nice goal. The endeavour, the commitment and the togetherness was very good.

"The way we were playing in the first half, we quietened the crowd. I just said to them now, we had to do better than that in the second half.

"We have to get on with it. If we sit there and start worrying about things, it's not going to do much good."