Royals romp past rocking Robins

Doyle: Scored twice

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Kevin Doyle grabbed a brace as Reading romped to an impressive 4-1 win at promotion rivals Bristol City.

The Irish striker opened the scoring for the Royals and notched again just after half-time after Noel Hunt had earlier scored the visitors' second.

Kalifa Cisse poached Reading's fourth before the hour to seal a second away win of the season before Stern John struck a last-minute consolation for the rocked Robins.

Royals striker Doyle had the first real chance of the game after seven minutes, drilling a shot from the edge of the area that Brazilian keeper Adriano Basso did well to hang on to at the second time of asking.

But Doyle made no mistake seven minutes later, finding space in the penalty area before placing a great right-footed finish under Basso from 12 yards.

The strike was Doyle's 10th of the season but his first away from the Madjeski Stadium.

Bad to worse

And matters went from bad to worse for City as they went from not having conceded a goal in six-and-a-half hours of football to shipping two in the space of two minutes.

Hunt picked up a pass from Cisse and found far too much space in the area before placing an excellent finish past Basso to stun the home crowd.

Basso had to be alert to keep out defender Brian Wilson's mis-directed interception as the visitors attacked with purpose and closed down players in a red shirt at every opportunity.

But City almost earned themselves a lifeline in the closing stages of the half as Marcus Hahnemann produced a stunning one-handed save to keep out John's header, before the on-loan Southampton striker drilled a 30-yard effort narrowly wide.

Marvin Elliott also fired over as the half drew to a close.

Robins boss Gary Johnson would have wanted his side to keep it tight at the back at the start of the second half while trying to reduce their arrears at the other end.

But his hopes were immediately dashed as Doyle grabbed his second and Reading's third within two minutes of the restart.

Jimmy Kebe found himself in space down the right and rolled a pass across the six-yard line that missed its intended target but fell straight into the path of Doyle, who could not miss for Reading.

And the result was in danger of becoming a rout as Cisse grabbed a fantastic fourth after 54 minutes.

The French midfielder received the ball from Hunt 25 yards out and unleashed a great strike into the top corner that left Basso with no chance.

Johnson responded by making a triple substitution, David Noble, Lee Trundle and John Akinde all coming on.

But the fourth goal finished the encounter as a spectacle and although John found the net from close range with virtually the last kick of the game, Reading were cruising all the way until the final whistle.