TWO goals in the space of five second half minutes ended Scunthorpe United’s hopes of making it two wins on the bounce at Glanford Park.

Having seen off league leaders QPR on Saturday, the Iron were looking to do the same against in-form Reading, but a strike from Shane Long and an Ian Harte penalty saw them beaten 2-0 by the Royals.

United manager Alan Knill had kept faith with the team which beat Rangers so convincingly at the weekend, despite having Paul Reid back in contention after serving a one-match ban.

Midfielders Ramon Nunez and Michael O'Connor were both passed fit to play despite respectively suffering from a tight hamstring and cramp in Saturday’s 4-1 success.

The confidence gained from that victory contributed to a bright start from Scunthorpe against Brian McDermott’s team.

For the first 45 minutes, the hosts dominated possession and attacked at will as they strung together some attractive passing moves.

The strike partnership of Chris Dagnall and Joe Garner continued to blossom, with the latter having an early chance after being set on his way by Mark Duffy. Establishing the tone for the rest of the first half however, the Nottingham Forest loanee fired wide.

Dagnall quickly got a chance to try his luck, running at the visiting defence when put through by his fellow front man, but failed to make the most of the opportunity.

Looking comfortable on the ball, the Iron continued to push Reading back as the half wore on.

Mark Duffy and Ramon Nunez proved effective down the wings, while Michael O’Connor once again pulled the strings from the centre of midfield.

Only the final killer ball eluded United.

Duffy did his best to provide it with a useful cross into the box after being set free by Garner, and although not fully cleared by Reading, the latter’s follow-up effort was hooked behind for a corner.

Dagnall went even closer just past the 20 minute mark, firing inches beyond the far post from a tight angle inside the box.

Reading by contrast, saw attacking opportunities at a premium as they tried to catch the home side on the break.

The dangerous looking Jobi McAnuff did his best to make one count when he cut inside from the left wing and took aim towards Joe Murphy after being given too much time on the ball.

The Scunthorpe stopper was equal to the attempt and his side responded by going back on the attack.

Both Dagnall and Duffy made some incisive runs as half-time loomed, with the Iron winger drawing a save from Alex McCarthy, but there was to be no decisive breakthrough ahead of the interval.

Nevertheless, initially, United picked up where they left off after the break.

Nunez came desperately close to breaking the deadlock when he poked a cross from Dagnall wide, but that honour went to Reading shortly after.

Beginning to build up some momentum, Jimmy Kebe tested Murphy with a curling shot, before Long handed his side the advantage with 58 minutes on the clock.

It was all too easy for the striker as he slotted home Kebe’s right hand cross from a few yards out.

And salt was rubbed in the Iron’s wounds minutes later when the referee pointed to the spot following Michael Nelson’s foul on Long.

Murphy was left with no chance as Harte blasted the ball into the net to double the Royals’ lead.

It took the sting out of what had been a positive performance from Scunthorpe as they were unable to muster anything of note in response.

Although they refused to give up, a fierce free-kick from Nunez was the closest they came in the final 10 minutes, with his long range, driven effort flying wide of the upright.

It meant a tame end to what had been a promising start from United, who found themselves six points adrift of safety ahead of the weekend’s crunch clash with fourth-bottom Crystal Palace.

SCUNTHORPE: Murphy, Hughes, Mirfin, Nelson, Gordon, Nunez, Togwell, O'Connor (J Wright 46), Duffy (Miller 74), Dagnall, Garner. Unused subs: Raynes, Collins, Nolan, Lillis, Godden.

READING: McCarthy, Griffin, Mills, Khizanishvili, Harte, Kebe, Leigertwood, Karacan (Tabb 70), McAnuff, Long, Manset (Church 65). Unused subs: Federici, Hunt, Antonio, Robson-Kanu, Pearce.

ATTENDANCE: 4,458 (416 away)

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