Reading clinched their first Sky Bet League One victory of the season as they edged past fellow early-season strugglers Port Vale 1-0 at the SCL Stadium.
After a tame opening half, Reading winger Paddy Lane broke the deadlock in the 66th minute with his first goal for the club – and it was enough to claim the three points.
The sides went into the game in Berkshire with just two league draws apiece and Vale created the first chance through a Ronan Curtis header, which home goalkeeper Joel Pereira gathered easily.
Daniel Kyerewaa then raced clear for the Royals, only to shoot wastefully into the side-netting.
As the hosts finished the first half strongly, Vale keeper Joe Gauci had to make smart saves to deny Lane and Ben Elliott.
Reading’s frustrations continued to grow after the interval, with manager Noel Hunt was sent off in the 51st minute for flicking the ball away with his foot at a Vale throw-in.
But Hunt will have been happier 15 minutes later, when Lane latched on to a Kyerewaa pass and curled a fine shot past Gauci.
Vale tried to fight back late on, but Pereira saved superbly from Curtis and substitute Dajaune Brown blazed over when well placed.
