Reading 1 Barnsley 2: Super Steele saves two penalties as Hill’s men claim ‘just rewards’

Goalkeeper Luke Steele saved two of the spot-kicks, leaving Reading fans voicing their anger.

It was Barnsley’s first away win in the league since January 26.

“I am really pleased with our first win. I deserve it and the players deserve it, although I know that in the second half Reading could have won it” said Hill.

“I think the win is just reward for the hard work we have put in so I will accept it. We have come a long way to get that result.

“Our goalkeeper deserves a reward for those two penalty saves. I thought two of them were stonewall penalties although I’m not sure about the other. It might turn out to be right though.

“There has been too much pressure heaped on us and there should not be that type of pressure heaped on.”

Barnsley went ahead after 27 minutes. Goalkeeper Adam Federici got his hands to Stephen Foster’s close-range header but could not stop the ball crossing the line.

The Royals then failed from the penalty spot twice inside two minutes. Ian Harte stepped up after Jimmy Kebe was tripped by McEveley midway through the second half only to see Steele make a superb save.

Two minutes later, McEveley was at fault again as he tripped Robson-Kanu inside the area. This time Noel Hunt took the kick only to see Steele make another save.

Barnsley took advantage of those misses in the 68th minute when Matt Done was left in the clear to shoot past Federici.

Reading grabbed a lifeline in the 74th minute when referee Brian Malone awarded their third penalty after Rob Edwards tripped Noel Hunt. This time Robson-Kanu calmly placed the ball past Steele.

Reading: Federici, Gunnarsson (Manset 70), Pearce, Khumalo, Harte, Kebe, Leigertwood, Robson-Kanu, McAnuff, Karacan, Hunt (Church 84). Unused substitutes: McCarthy, Morrison, Obita.

Barnsley: Steele, Wiseman, Foster, Edwards, McEveley (McNulty 63), Perkins, Hassell, Done, Butterfield (O’Brien 80), Haynes (Gray 58), Davies. Unused substitutes: Preece, Lovre.

Referee: B Malone (Wiltshire).

Man of the match: Luke Steele.