Federici the hero as Reading go joint top
Australian goalkeeper Adam Federici was the hero as Reading moved level on points with Championship leaders Southampton with a 1-0 win at Brighton on Tuesday.
Federici produced a superb second-half penalty save from Ashley Barnes before pulling off a string of memorable stops as the Royals registered their fourth win in the row to tighten their grip on an automatic promotion place.
Reading are now six points clear of third placed West Ham with only four games remaining, and the win sets up a potentially decisive showdown with Southampton on Friday.
Reading's winner came after only 14 minutes following their first foray of the match when Ian Harte's free-kick took a massive deflection to sail into the net past the stranded Albion goalkeeper Peter Brezovan.
The defeat – Brighton's first at home for 10 games – left the Seagulls two points behind sixth-placed Cardiff with plenty to do if they are to force their way into contention for a play-off berth.
