Long keeps Royals dream alive

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Reading's hopes of automatic promotion remain alive after a brace from Shane Long poured misery on relegation-threatened Norwich City.

The Royals headed into Monday night's game at Carrow Road aware that only victory would keep their chances of finishing in the top two intact.

And, after a tense encounter of few goalscoring opportunities, Long twice nodded home in the second period to break Norwich hearts.

Steve Coppell's Reading next take on second-placed Birmingham City in the final day of the season with three points and a slip-up by Sheffield United enough to lift them into the Premier League.

The Canaries, meanwhile, no longer have their Championship fate in their own hands as they go into Sunday's programme in the relegation zone, although they do boast a better goal difference than their rivals.

Alert

The home side controlled the early play but almost fell behind when goalkeeper David Marshall took an age to clear a backpass and saw his kick charged down by the alert Long.

The City defence cleared the danger though and Darel Russell had the first effort on target at the other end with a powerful drive which thudded into Marcus Hahnemann's chest.

Long then should have scored after Jimmy Kebe broke clear down the left but he was also guilty of hesitating and Jason Shackell blocked his shot.

Alan Gow came within a foot of finding the top corner for Norwich in the opening minutes of the second period before Stephen Hunt twice caused panic with great delivery from the left.

The home side escaped on each occasion however and Steve Coppell turned to his Czech Republic international Marek Matejovsky as he looked for a breakthrough.

Matejovsky replaced Kalifa Cisse in midfield but it was Long who continued to look a threat and it was he who fired over from an acute angle.

And it was the Republic of Ireland international who finally found the breakthrough with 21 minutes left.

Teasing

Kebe found space on the left and after a step-over took him past Jon Otsemobor he delivered a teasing cross to the back post where Long was unmarked to head home from a matter of three yards.

The goal took the wind out of the Canaries and the duo combined again for the second goal in the 79th minute.

A throw found Kebe on the touchline and he was afforded the time to turn on to his right foot and find Long inside the six-yard box where the striker again headed past Marshall.

There was no way back for the home side and Reading's win will also be celebrated by Nottingham Forest and Plymouth, who are both now certain of a place in the Championship for next season.