Brentford 3-1 Reading
Brentford moved to within two points of the play-off places with an impressive win over Reading.
First-half goals from Jota and Alex Pritchard put the Bees in the driving seat before substitute Simon Cox gave the visitors hope.
However, Jonathan Douglas sealed the points late on when he powered in Pritchard’s corner.
The Bees raced out of the blocks and almost took the lead early on when Pritchard hit the post.
However, they broke the deadlock on 11 minutes. Andre Gray’s header was blocked, and Jota pounced on the loose ball to score.
Mark Warburton’s men doubled their advantage just after the half-hour mark. Douglas won possession high up the field before playing in Gray.
The Brentford striker scuffed his shot, but Pritchard was in the right place at the right time to slot a second.
Reading grabbed a lifeline at the start of the second half when Cox came off the bench to divert in Jamie Mackie’s effort.
The Royals pushed for an equaliser, with David Button doing well to deny Mackie.
But the Bees clinched victory on 81 minutes when Douglas climbed highest to head home Pritchard’s set-piece.
Substitute Nick Proschwitz almost added a fourth in the dying seconds, only for his close-range shot to clip the post.
Brentford: Button, McCormack, Tarkowski, Craig, Bidwell, Douglas, Judge, Pritchard (Toral 83), Jota (Diagouraga 65), Odubajo, Gray (Proschwitz 59).
Subs (not used): Bonham, Dean, Tebar, Betinho.
