Rams undone by Hunt

Noel Hunt ended his goal drought as a 1-0 win at Derby propelled Reading into the npower Championship play-off places.

Hunt provided a rare highlight in a dull encounter at Pride Park when he headed the only goal of the game just after the hour mark. It was the first time the Irishman had found the back of the net in 10 matches since scoring a last-gasp winner for the Royals at Ipswich on November 26.

It gave Reading a third straight league win and the three points lifted Brian McDermott's side one place to sixth in the table.

It was a dire affair that must have struggled to maintain the interest of even the most devout Ram or Royal. Neither goalkeeper saw the ball until midway through the first half, and even then Adam Federici's save from Callum Ball's tame header was as routine as they come.

The game's defining moment came in the 61st minute. Derby forward Jamie Ward felt he had been fouled on the edge of the Reading box but the referee waved play on and the Royals broke swiftly. Jimmy Kebe led the charge down the right and his cross was headed home by Hunt from six yards out.

Derby saw their three-game winning run at home in the Championship ended but a bright note from the night for them was the return to action of Steven Davies following four months out with a fractured skull.