Broadhead hits double as Wrexham beat Reading

Nathan Broadhead has won 14 caps for Wales

Nathan Broadhead netted his first goals for Wrexham to help them beat Reading at the Stok Cae Ras and progress to the fourth round of the EFL Cup for the first time since 1977.

Following a disjointed first half, Phil Parkinson's side were far better after the restart and went ahead through the Championship club's record signing, who fired beyond Jack Stevens from 15 yards out.

The 27-year-old Broadhead completed his double with a header soon after as Wrexham sealed their place in the last 16 at the expense of the League One Royals.

Reading carried the greater threat from the outset, with Mark O'Mahony twice going close, while Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan's thumping strike stung the palms of Callum Burton on what was the Wrexham goalkeeper's first appearance since December.

Former Reading forward Sam Smith - who moved to north Wales from Berkshire in January - had two efforts blocked in quick succession, before being denied by Stevens after latching on to Broadhead's floated ball over the top as the hosts showed signs of improvement.

Clear-cut chances remained few and far between though, but shortly after Smith's tame header was comfortably saved, Reading's Kamari Doyle came within a whisker of breaking a deadlock when drilling against Burton's near post.

Having made 10 changes from Saturday's 3-2 win at Norwich City, Wrexham struggled to find their rhythm, although Noel Hunt's men were impressive given they had made nine alterations of their own.

Both sides had kept just one clean sheet each so far this season, so few would have expected the lack of goals at the Stok Cae Ras.

Wrexham improved after the break though and went ahead shortly before the hour mark.

Elliot Lee's blocked shot fell into the path of Broadhead who fired into the far corner to bag his first goal for the club - maintaining his side's record of scoring in every fixture across all competitions this season in the process.

Reading boss Hunt responded with four changes as Liam Fraser, Lewis Wing, Paddy Lane and Tivonge Rushesha were all summoned from the bench.

But Wales forward Broadhead rose to meet Ryan Barnett's 70th-minute cross, with his header hitting the crossbar before narrowly crossing the line to leave the visitors with a mountain to climb.

Lewis Brunt almost made it 3-0 with a header from close range, while Burton had to be alert to keep out Wing's free-kick at the other end.

Substitute Ryan Hardie went even closer to adding a third for the hosts but was denied by some last-ditch defending in added time.

Wrexham also kept a second clean sheet of the campaign to seal back-to-back wins following Saturday's triumph over Norwich.

Post-match reaction

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson:

"It's great, I spoke to the lads about that (reaching the fourth round for the first time since 1977) yesterday. On this journey that the club's on, to create bits of history along the way is fantastic. I'm really pleased to get through.

"No game is ever easy and Reading showed tonight what good young players they've got.

"They've got some talent, their academy has kept that club going over the last few troubled years they've had. But I'm very pleased to progress and there's obviously a lot of positives for us tonight."