NIGEL Clough had two gaps to fill after Kyle McFadzean and Jamie Ward were both unavailable for today's game. John Mousinho and Stuart Beavon returned to the fold.
The home side looked to keep most of the ball during the opening exchanges, and had the first real opportunity of the game as Dominic Samuel got in behind the Albion back line but his shot only found its way into Jon McLaughlin's side netting.Burton grew into the game quickly and nearly took the lead on 15 minutes when Chris O'Grady got his head on the end of Matty Palmer's corner but his effort was cleared off the line at the far post!
GOAL: The home side took the lead just after 20 minutes when Roy Beerens drilled the ball across the face of goal and Dominic Samuel was there at the back post to tap home (1-0).
GOAL: Just before the half hour mark the home side doubled their lead, with a carbon copy of their first goal but it was Danny Williams who was on hand to tap in at the back post (2-0).
HT: Reading 2-0 Burton Albion
Both teams emerged unchanged after the break.
The Brewers came out fighting in the second half and had two good opportunities to pull a goal back, first when Stuart Beavon layed it off for Jackson Irvine on the edge of the box but his shot was tame, and it didn't trouble Al Habsi. The pair combined again when Beavon crossed the ball deep for Irvine who arrived late and couldn't make any contact.
Burton were really having a go at Reading in the second half, and Matty Palmer took it upon himself to try and get a goal back but he was just inches off when his left-footed effort from 25 yards flashed just wide of the post.
Will Miller replaced Chris O'Grady with just over 20 minutes of the game to play. Lee Williamson soon followed Chris O'Grady off the pitch as he was replaced by Tom Naylor.
The man on loan from Tottenham, Will Miller, was picked out in space inside the box by Tom Naylor before turning and letting off a shot which was well saved by Al Habsi.
GOAL: Against the run of play the home side added a third goal. Yakou Meite cut inside form the right and let off a shot which was saved by Jon McLaughlin but it bounced into the path of John Brayford who couldn't get out of the way and the ball crossed the line (3-0).
The best chance of the half for Burton fell to Will Miller when Stuart Beavon flicked the ball to him in the box and with just the 'keeper to beat, he smashed it wide of the post.
FT: Reading 3-0 Burton Albion
Attendance: 15, 545 (446 away)
Ash's man of the match: Matty Palmer