Reading 0-2 Brentford

Brentford ensured the race for the play-offs will go right to the wire after a superb victory at Reading's Madejski Stadium.

Alan Judge fired the Bees into an early lead and James Tarkowski put the match beyond the reach of the Royals with a crucial second just after the hour.

Late goals elsewhere meant it wasn't quite the dream afternoon for the west Londoners as Derby salvaged a late point at Wigan and Ipswich beat Nottingham Forest.

However, it gives Brentford hope of making the top six. If Steve McClaren's Rams lose next weekend and the Griffin Park club win then it will be their name in the mix for the end of season lottery.

Mark Warburton resisted the urge to tinker with his team and sent out the same starting XI as the one that was held by Bolton Wanderers last weekend.

Steve Clarke’s Reading came into the match in a terrible run of seven games without a win and the Scot made four changes to his team to try and secure his side’s first three points since early March.

Alex Pearce, Danny Williams, Hal Robson-Kanu and Oliver Norwood all came into the Royals XI and Jake Cooper, Jem Karacan, Nick Blackman and Nathan Ake made way for the quartet.

Number two: James Tarkowski seals it

Brentford’s form isn’t great at the moment either, their last win being the 4-1 thrashing of Fulham on April 3, a sequence that saw them slip out of the play-off positions at a crucial stage.

The travelling Bees faithful were in good voice and they had an early goal to celebrate as Andre Gray showed good strength and awareness to pick out Judge and the Irishman swept home the opener.

Reading should have grabbed a quick equaliser when Nathaniel Chalobah crept into the six-yard box and got on the end of Chris Gunter’s cross, however his header was wide of David Button’s post.

Garath McCleary was the next Royals midfielder to spurn an opening, finding himself in acres of space on the edge of the area, only to send his right-footed shot into the stand.

Alex Pritchard could have doubled Brentford’s advantage before with a trademark strike shortly before half time but Adam Federici gratefully watched it bend wide of the upright.

Gray looked like he could really hurt the Royals with his pace and he was in behind the defence again moments after the restart but Australian goalkeeper Federici did well to save with his legs.

Reading then had the ball in the net at the other end, only for the linesman to raise his flag, when Button produced a wonderful save to keep out Hal Robson-Kanu's volley and the offside Chalobah pounced.

Horror show: Reading's Jamie Mackie after the second goal

Clarke's side were had their foot in the door and were threatening to draw level until the Bees slammed it shut with an absolutely crucial goal as the clock ticked past the hour.

Jota won a free-kick down by the corner flag, expertly delivered by Judge, and Tarkowski beat two or three Reading players to get to the ball and nod it home in front of the away contingent.

It was Jota's final involvement of the game as Warburton made a double substitution by replacement the Spaniard and Gray with Jon Toral and Stuart Dallas for the closing stages.

Reading could have made it a nervy finish for the 3,457 travelling Bees fans if Simon Cox had stuck away a late chance but Button made another excellent stop and Warburton's men held out for victory, with Tommy Smith denied a late third by the woodwork.

It all sets things up for a nail-biting final round of fixtures next weekend as Brentford play Wigan, Ipswich travel to Blackburn and Derby take on this beaten Reading side as the play-off places are decided.

Brentford: Button, Bidwell, Dean, Tarkowski, Douglas, Odubajo, Judge, Gray (Dallas, 66), Diagouraga, Pritchard (Smith 83), Jota (Toral, 66).

Subs (not used): Bonham, Craig, McCormack, O’Connell.

Attendance: 20,048 (3,457 away).