Tigers ride their luck to leapfrog Reading to boost play-off hopes

Brady scored the only goal of the game as Hull inflicted a first home defeat on McDermott’s side since November.

The goal came in the 67th minute as Reading’s defenders protested that Brady’s strike should have been ruled out.

Paul McKenna had sent a pass forward towards Aaron Mclean, who appeared to be offside, but it was Brady who was first to the ball and he ran forward to slide it past Adam Federici as Reading appealed to the assistant.

Jubilant Hull manager Barmby praised the assistant for “a great decision” over the goal, adding: “Aaron Mclean was in an offside position but had the foresight not to touch the ball and goalscorer Robbie Brady was definitely onside.”

Reading chief McDermott had a different view, saying: “Aaron Mclean’s made a run after the ball so he is active. Because he is there, our keeper is entitled to say that he didn’t know which of their two men was actually going to play the ball.”

The win lifted Hull into the top five, three points above Reading, who slipped to eighth.

Barmby said: “We knew it would be tough playing Reading at home. You know they are a good side and are relentless in keeping coming and in working the channels.

“In the first half, we rode our luck a couple of times, but in the second half we had a better shape and tried to counter-attack and nick one, which is what we managed to do.

“It was another clean sheet which was really pleasing and the commitment of the players in keeping that clean sheet, and in believing they had a goal inside them was terrific.

“You have got to earn the right to play.

“We didn’t do that in the first half but that was more a case of Reading nullifying us.

“It was a really pleasing win for us, particularly against a side that were above us in the league before the start.”

Brady’s goal was one of the rare chances for either side on a day when Reading confirmed the probability of Russian investment in the club.

McDermott said: “Time will tell what impact the Russian investors will have. I know who they are.”

Reading: Federici, Cummings, Pearce, Gorkss, Harte, Antonio, Tabb, Karacan, Robson-Kanu, Hunt, Church (Le Fondre 68). Unused substitutes: Andersen, Gunnarsson, Joseph Mills, D’Ath.

Hull: Mannone, Rosenior (King 86), Chester, Hobbs, Dawson, McKenna, Evans, Stewart (Fryatt 62), Koren, Brady (Dudgeon 81), Mclean. Unused substitutes: Carson, Cooper.

Referee: G Scott (Oxfordshire).

Man of the match: Robbie Brady.