When top met bottom, who would have predicted such an end to end game with seven goals. That's just what happened when high flying Reading, met bottom of the table Crewe Alexandra.
Despite being the underdogs, Crewe went into the lead on 14 minutes with a simple tap in for Luke Bell after Marcus Hahnemann had turned a swerving shot from Luke Rodgers into his path.
As was becoming quite the norm in this exceptional season, Reading hit back with two goals in two minutes. Nicky Shorey's left footed free kick and a headed goal from Steve Sidwell on 24 and 26 minutes respectively, gave Reading the lead. Leroy Lita added a third just before half time, giving the Royals a seemingly comfortable half time lead 3-1.
Crewe had other ideas though, and on 51 minutes they pulled a goal back through Gareth Taylor, 3-2. Leroy Lita gave Reading a fourth goal only two minutes later, glancing in Bobby Convey's low cross at the near post.
Reading conceded a penalty for Nicky Shorey's hand ball, Crewe scoring from the spot kick to make the score 4-3. Kenny Lunt was sent off for pulling Stephen Hunt back late in the game, and Reading hung on for another away win.
Having played 32 games, one more than second place Sheffield Utd, the Royals were on 79 points, 10 points clear at the top of the league and heading for alomost certain promotion.
