A stunning volley from Stephen Ireland four minutes into stoppage time saw Manchester City earn a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Reading.

With city rivals Manchester United having lost 1-0 at Bolton, it now means that Sven Goran's Eriksson's men are just one point behind Alex Ferguson's side.

City got off to a perfect start when Martin Petrov put them in front early on, but a James Harper equaliser just before the break looked to have earned Steve Coppell a point against his former team.

However, with time expiring, Ireland got on the end of a Geovanni header to volley superbly into the top corner of the net from just outside the box.

It was Petrov who gave City the lead after just 11 minutes when he polished off a period of pinball like madness in the Reading box.

The goal came when Ireland was slipped in down the right, he then checked the ball back to Elano who side-footed the ball against the post; the ball bounced back to him but this time Marcus Hahnermann was there to save. The American keeper then made another stop to deny Emile Mpenza before Petrov finally swept in.

City then relaxed and took their foot off the gas, happy with a one goal lead in the knowledge that they were looking comfortable at the back.

At the other end Reading's strikers Kevin Doyle and David Kitson always looked like they had a good understanding but until the 43rd minute they were not getting any support from their midfield.

However, their equaliser came when Doyle benefited from a lucky ricochet; he then checked the ball right to Bobby Convey who quickly shifted it right to Harper. The midfielder then placed a fine effort into the top corner of the net from the edge of the area.

City brought Georgios Samaras on for Mpenza at half-time, while Geovanni also came on early when Elano was forced off.

However, chasing the game really didn't suit City's style and they were struggling to create chances.

Samaras did get on the end of a great defence cutting pass from Petrov but Hahnemann raced out well to save.

Reading defended admirably throughout the second-half and must have been sure they were destined for a point when Geovanni fired over a great chance in the last minute.

However, their hearts were to be broken in the 94th minute when Ireland produced his match-winning gem which keeps City third and in the title race.

Seán Fay / Eurosport