Burnley 2-1 Reading: Anass Zaroury grabs late winner for leaders
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Burnley's dramatic comeback stretched their unbeaten run to 16 games in all competitions
Championship leaders Burnley snatched a hard-fought three points thanks to Anass Zaroury's 94th-minute winner against Reading at Turf Moor.
Tom Ince opened the scoring for the Royals with the first shot on target for either side in a game of few chances.
Burnley substitute Manuel Benson then made it 1-1 with a low first-time finish 10 minutes later.
Zaroury nipped in at the back post to win it - and ensure Vincent Kompany's side remain two points clear at the top, while Paul Ince's Reading drop to 11th.
Both sides struggled to find their rhythm early on, with Clarets midfielder Nathan Tella seeing a shot from outside the box blocked.
He was the main creator for the home team, sending in a series of dangerous low crosses, without a team-mate being able to provide the finishing touch.
Reading's second-half goal came largely against the run of play when goalkeeper Joe Lumley's punt upfield was flicked on by Yakou Meite for Ince to collect and neatly slot home.
Burnley manager Kompany reacted by making two changes and was rewarded moments later when Benson accurately fired the ball in following a poor headed clearance.
Anass Zaroury has scored in three of his last five games for Burnley, all of which Burnley have won
With the game now stretched from end-to-end, Royals defender Baba Rahman threatened with a volley from distance which Arijanet Muric did well to hold, before the Ghana international's teasing cross narrowly missed the head of Meite.
Zaroury looked menacing too as he hit a powerful drive from 12 yards which proved to be a warning signal for what was to come.
Benson was involved again as he scooped in an inviting stoppage-time cross and Zaroury headed in from close range to give the home side the win.
Who's next?
Both sides are in action again in midweek.
Burnley will be looking for a third consecutive home win when they face Rotherham on Wednesday, while Reading could climb back up the table with a result at Luton a night earlier.
Burnley manager Vincent Kompany:
"We played well. I was happy with the chances we created.
"But we didn't really finish the chances off how we should do.
"We conceded a goal that is not really acceptable. We got lucky at the right time.
"We face a lot of teams that late on show signs of fatigue. But I think our team still looks strong physically."
Reading manager Paul Ince told BBC Radio Berkshire:
"I'm gutted for the players because that was a very, very good performance.
"At times we made them look ordinary and they are a good team, they play good football.
"We got our tactics right. We were brave, we were strong.
"It's from our mistakes that they got their chances from, which we have to learn from."