Millwall 2-0 Reading: Homophobic chanting reported during Lions win at The Den
- Published
Striker Matt Smith has been directly involved in nine goals in 12 appearances at The Den (six goals, three assists)
Millwall continued their surge towards the Championship play-off places with victory over Reading at The Den.
Striker Matt Smith opened the scoring in the 71st minute with a powerful strike into the bottom corner after getting on the end of Jed Wallace's cross.
Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, playing against his former club, sealed the win when he calmly slotted past Reading goalkeeper Rafael with eight minutes remaining.
The match was temporarily halted in the first half as referee Keith Stroud spoke to both managers following homophobic chanting from sections of the home crowd.
The incident, which was reported to Stroud by the assistant referee, also prompted an announcement over the public-address system during the half-time break.
On the pitch, seventh-placed Millwall were good value for their win after creating the better chances throughout against a Reading side unbeaten in their previous nine matches.
In the first half, Rafael was forced into a good save to deny Tom Bradshaw after Wallace's scuffed shot had fallen to the striker, while Smith went close with a looping header.
Gary Rowett's side continued to apply pressure after the break and were eventually rewarded with two goals in 10 minutes.
Reading's best opportunities fell to Yakou Meite, whose shot was blocked during a goal-mouth scramble in the first half, and John Swift, who failed to properly connect with Tyler Blackett's inviting cross just after the hour mark.
Millwall have only lost once in 14 games in all competitions and are now level on points with sixth-placed Nottingham Forest, with the Royals dropping to 16th.
Millwall manager Gary Rowett told BBC Radio London:
"I thought it was a very hard fought, difficult game. It was always going to be that way against a Reading side with excellent individuals.
"But I thought from the start to the end of the game, we were brilliant with our energy, our running and our aggression. It kind of just wore them down a little.
"We thoroughly deserved the win, I think we had eight shots on target to their none. That's a compliment to the way we defended."
Reading manager Mark Bowen told BBC Radio Berkshire:
"The biggest disappointment out of today is that we forgot how to play.
"We got wrapped up in the hustle and bustle and the pressure the crowd put on the referee and everyone. We've got to be brave, not only in making tackles, but getting on the ball as well.
"We know we've got good quality, we've shown that week-in, week-out. You've got to use the ball wisely and well and we didn't do that today.
"In forward areas, we didn't retain the ball enough and we weren't clever and imaginative enough. Hopefully it's a one-off as we've been on a good run."