Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 Reading: Bottom side hang on with 10 men for vital win
- Published
Fred Onyedinma (right) netted his first league goal of the season early in the second half
Bottom-of-the-table Wycombe survived being reduced to 10 men and having a penalty saved to hang on for a crucial Championship victory against Reading.
Wycombe went ahead early in the second half as Fred Onyedinma forced home a goalmouth scramble at the back post.
But centre-back Ryan Tafazolli was then sent off as his foul on Andy Rinomhota also conceded a penalty.
Reading top-scorer Lucas Joao failed to convert the chance to equalise as his spot-kick hit the crossbar and bounced clear.
There would be more penalty drama late on when Uche Ikpeazu spurned the chance to wrap up victory after being dragged down in the area by Tom McIntyre, but the striker had his tame effort saved by Rafael.
Thankfully for the hosts it did not prove costly as they reduced the gap to safety to eight points with a first home win in five league games.
Promotion contenders Reading continued the indifferent form which has seen them win just once in their past five matches.
Veljko Paunovic's side also tasted defeat away from home for the first time in six league games as they missed a chance to move within three points of the top two.
They had their chances before Onyedinma's scrappy goal edged Wycombe ahead.
Rinomhota and Ovie Ejaria were both denied by smart saves from David Stockdale in the first half while centre-back Tom Holmes also had an effort blocked inside the penalty area.
But Gareth Ainsworth's side capitalised shortly after the break on some indecision in the Reading penalty area.
Former Royals midfielder Garath McCleary had his initial shot blocked before captain Anthony Stewart kept the ball alive in the air to allow Onyedinma to poke the ball under the hands of the visiting goalkeeper.
Josh Laurent then went close to a Reading equaliser with a shot that skimmed the outside of the post before Joao was presented with the chance from the penalty spot.
But the Portuguese was unable to add to his 17 Championship goals this season as his right-foot shot bounced off the frame of the goal.
Despite being handed another chance to come away with a point after Ikpeazu's miss, they could not find a way past a dogged Wycombe defence.
Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"The Great Escape has always been on, ever since day one of this season.
"I'm in constant contact with the owners and we have spoken about this team coming out and fighting and scrapping.
"They almost don't settle for anything at the expense of winning a game and I thought we set up superbly this evening to frustrate Reading.
"I thought we did it really well and when we go down to 10 men, it paints a different picture.
"I have to think on my feet a bit then and it was a brilliant defensive performance second half from absolutely everyone.
"Don't write us off. I'm not saying we'll do it, but we've got a much better chance now."
Reading manager Veljko Paunovic told BBC Radio Berkshire:
"We can't let this kind of result happen, but we also can't let ourselves fall down in disappointment for too long.
"We have to try and bounce back immediately, look closely at the mistakes we made, which came in the second half.
"The first half was very consistent, but we missed our clinical execution which was crucial today.
"Had we taken one of those opportunities we created in the first half, it would've been a different game.
"We have to be more clinical as we know that our opponents will take their chances when they get theirs, which is how it played out this evening."