Reading 1-2 Preston North End: Visitors move up to fifth with third consecutive win
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Ched Evans scored his first goal for Preston since November 2021 and his first brace since November 2020
Preston North End moved up to fifth in the Championship as they beat Reading to clinch their third consecutive league win.
After a first half short of chances at either end, Preston took the lead courtesy of Ched Evans' superb header from Robbie Brady's swinging ball into the box.
Reading levelled with 20 minutes remaining as Lucas Joao made no mistake from the spot after Brady brought down Andy Yiadom.
Evans struck the winner having collected the ball just outside the box before he fired low past Reading keeper Joe Lumley.
The result moves Preston up three places and into the Championship's top six, continuing their winning run, while Reading remain 11th following a fifth defeat in seven games.
Preston came into the match off the back of a poor defensive run on their travels, conceding eight goals in their past four away Championship games, but they kept Reading out in a drab first 45 minutes.
Neither side offered much before the break and seemed to cancel each other out, with Brady forcing a good save from Lumley just before half-time as Preston registered the first meaningful shot on goal.
Brady was involved as Preston broke the deadlock early in the second half as he curled a ball in from the right which Evans did well to glance into the bottom left-hand corner.
Preston's lead lasted just 20 minutes as Joao fired his penalty past Preston goalkeeper Freddie Woodman but there was drama to come as the game wound down.
Evans, who had scored his first goal in 35 appearances earlier on, bagged his second of the evening following some superb work down the right wing from Ben Woodburn, who laid the ball off for Evans to hit his decisive low shot.
Reading boss Paul Ince told BBC Radio Berkshire:
"[We were] lethargic, knackered, tired. There was not much between the two teams, it was a dour game, boring to be honest. Half-time it was 0-0 and I thought one goal was going to win it.
"I told the players 'it's our last game at home for four weeks, we're losing balls unopposed in the middle of the park with sloppy passing', our decision making was horrendous. That wasn't the team we saw on Tuesday.
"Are they tired? Of course they're tired, they've had three games in six days and it's the same players being asked to do that. Is that an excuse? Yes, it can be."
Preston North End manager Ryan Lowe told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"It was fantastic. I think the lads were fantastic in everything they did. The first half, I thought we gave the ball away but we addressed that at half-time and the lads were on the same page and knew they'd have to keep the ball better.
"I'm pleased for Ched Evans, it's been a while but two have come along. I thought his performance on Tuesday and today was fantastic.
"He's a solid pro and I'm pleased for him getting those goals. As a former striker, when you haven't scored for a while it's a burden on you."