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Carling Cup

Reading 3 (4) - Darlington 3 (3)

Reading (4-4-2): Stack, Halls (Harper 102), De La Cruz, Bikey, Mate; Gunnarsson (c), Oster, Little, Hunt; Lita (Doyle 69), Long Subs: Hahnemann, Osano, Hayes Booked: Bikey
Darlington (4-4-2): Stockdale, Duke, James, Hutchinson (Close 89), Holloway (c); Ngoma, McLeod (Cummins 60), Rowson, Logan (Wainwright 64), Johnson, Joachim Subs: Russell, Armstrong Sent off: Duke
Attendance: 10,353
The Royals went through 4-2 on penalties after a marathon cup tie against Darlington tonight.  The visitors led three times through Simon Johnson's penalty and Julian Joachim's brace, but Leroy Lita scored twice for the home side and Peter Mate steered home a late equaliser that looked very much like handball.  Darlington were reduced to 10 men in the 73rd minute when David Duke committed a professional foul on Kevin Doyle, and Reading really ought to have won the game at that stage but missed a host of chances.  There was drama in the shoot-out as Stephen Hunt was able to retake his missed spot kick for encroachment, and after two Darlington misses debutant Andre Bikey stroked home the winne
Full report
The game started slowly, with Reading's passing not up to its usual standard early on. Andre Bikey showed composure early on to; defend; a move with a cheeky backheel, and Stephen Hunt broke well but John Halls couldn't deliver a cross.  Darlington then got a foothold in the game, and went close with a couple of long rangers. One David Rowson effort was deflected over, and from the corner Brynjar Gunnarsson was adjudged to have pulled Darren Holloway's shirt.  It was perhaps a generous decision, but  Simon Johnson  did not care as he slotted home the penalty from 12 yards. Graham Stack got a hand on it and was unlucky not to keep it out.   Johnson then went close with a header as Reading was not at their best. Bikey was spreading some good balls from deep, and Reading got back into it slightly against the run of play.  A long ball from deep was misheaded by Holloway, and with keeper David Stockdale stranded,  Leroy Lita  followed in to score from eight yards into an empty net on 30 minutes.  The lead lasted barely a couple of minutes though. Julian Joachim shrugged off Hunt and then Ulises De La Cruz to break 60 yards from a Reading corner. The ball was deflected back to  Joachim  from Carlos Logan's shot, and the former Villa man prodded home.  Incredibly though Reading scored again to make it three goals in five minutes. John Oster found  Lita , and with Darlington calling for an offside flag the striker smacked into the corner.  Bikey and Oster then combined to give Shane Long a good chance but he smacked over from 18 yards. Reading were back on top before the break, with Glen Little releasing De La Cruz, who went on a brilliant run, beating two or three men but sadly smashing over from only eight yards.  The Royals started the second half as the better team with a succession of corners, but it was Darington who took the lead from a corner of their own. It was swung in low by Rowson from the right, and  Joachim  smacked in expertly on the half volley. It could soon have been 4-2 but Kalusivikako Ngoma put a free header wide.  Hunt's free kick went very close to levelling matters but Stockdale made an impressive save to tip it onto the post. Reading continued to look for a goal but were not very fluid.  Hunt created a good chance for Long, but the striker decided not to take it on his left foot, instead checking onto his right, shooting over with the space closing down. Down the other end Howson had a very good chance but headed wide.  Reading threw Kevin Doyle on, and he made an immediate impact when getting onto Long's throughball. He was hauled down by David Duke 20 yards from goal, and the Darlington defender was sent off. Hunt then curled the free kick over.  Oster had enjoyed a good performance, and his effort from 20 yards almost caught out Stockdale but he saved at the second attempt. Doyle had a go from long range on 83 but it was saved easily.  With four minutes remaining, Reading finally drew level. A corner from the left evaded Bikey at the back post, and  Mate  stole in to turn it home from a yard. The ball certainly hit the Hungarian's arm, but referee Lee Probert allowed it to stand.  Moments later Doyle shot over from the edge of the box as a glorious chance presented itself to him.  After a long injury to Darlo's Joey Hutchinson, six minutes of injury time were added. Doyle went very close to the game's seventh goal, but curled just wide on the turn.  De La Cruz had a very good chance from Little's quick free kick but headed well off target seconds before the final whistle. Extra time started with Reading inevitably enjoying more possession, but Darlington's Neil Wainwright pulled a great chance wide after Joachim got up above Bikey. Johnson then went on a very good run and Stack could only parry his rasper.  Long looked destined to score from Little's cross, but Brian Close blocked superbly on the line. With the first period almost up, Little could only stab over from Oster's cross.  After the restart, Long slid in but his effort from Doyle's cross went wide. Hunt then headed over as Reading pushed. Oster had a snapshot that was tipped over, but only a goal kick was given. Penalties were looming, but Close almost settled it as his effort from 25 went wide.  Inside injury time, Long looked certain to score but somehow contrived to let the ball run away from him, and the final whistle soon blew.  There was plenty of drama in the shoot-out, with Hunt scoring after a retake, Doyle seeing his effort saved before Bikey slotted home the winner.  Penalties Hunt 1-0 - scored after retake Holloway 1-0 - missed over the bar Little - 2-0 - scores top corner James - 2-1 - tidily finished Doyle - 2-1 - saved low Wainwright - 2-1 - missed over the bar Long - 3-1 - calm sidefoot Johnson - 3-2 - Johnson - chipped cheekily Bikey - 4-2 - nicely tucked home.