Reading 0-1 West Bromwich Albion: Karlan Grant's winner snatches late victory for Baggies
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West Bromwich Albion climbed back into the Championship top 10 with a late winner at Reading.
Baggies substitute Callum Robinson broke quickly just 12 minutes from time for top scorer Karlan Grant to tuck away his 16th goal of the season.
Albion's first away win in four matches sets Steve Bruce's side up for their final home game against relegated Barnsley next Saturday.
But there is already speculation over the future of former England striker Andy Carroll, who was left out of the squad, is expected be left out next week too and is now considered very unlikely to stay at Albion next season.
Bruce won his reunion meeting with former Manchester United team-mate Paul Ince.
Reading were already safe from relegation thanks to a timely run of one just one defeat in seven games under Ince - but their season is far from over as their final game next Saturday is a crunch one at Championship play-off contenders Luton.
With so little hanging on this game, it led to an inevitably poor contest, with few chances of note.
Albion central defender Semi Ajayi headed against Orjan Nyland's left upright and Matt Phillips almost deceived Nyland with a curling, deep cross that looked like it might drop in before the Reading keeper tipped it over the bar.
Home skipper Michael Morrison nodded narrowly wide for the hosts and Albion keeper David Button needed two attempts to gather a dipping corner from Junior Hoilett.
But the Baggies finally broke through when, just six minutes after coming on, Robinson's quick counter and incisive pass set up Grant, who found the space to drill home the winner.