Miller strikes to reinforce play-off berth for Wolves

Wolves recorded their first win at Reading in 15 years last night thanks to a Kenny Miller tap-in just before half-time reinforcing their standing in the play-off zone, even if they did not move up from sixth place in the First Division.

The Midlanders then managed to hang on but only once they had survived a 60-second fright midway through the second half. As Reading pushed forward, centre-back Steve Brown forced a flying save from Matt Murray with a header from 18 yards and from the ensuing corner Alex Rae hacked off the line from a header by John Mackie.

While Reading were fresh after a week off, Wolves had to show they were over the disappointment of losing Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final at Southampton, and they reacted well to the challenge.

Yet Dave Jones' side were almost a goal down inside the first minute. A quick corner taken by James Harper led to Nathan Tyson receiving the ball from Luke Chadwick, but Tyson thumped the crossbar.

Then followed a blistering spell of action at both ends, as Nathan Blake for the visitors, tricked his way to the byline and squeezed his shot wide.

Murray was called into action when Nicky Shorey crossed and Chadwick forced a diving save and again when Steve Brown repeated the dose. His opposite number Marcus Hahnemann denied Miller twice before the Scot finally had his reward a minute before the break. Shaun Newton hit the post from a Mark Kennedy cross but Miller was on hand for the game's decisive goal and his 19th of the season.

Reading: 4-5-1: Hahnemann; Murty, Mackie, Brown, Shorey; Tyson (Henderson, 64), Sidwell (Salako, 64), Hughes, Harper (Watson, 79), Chadwick; Forster. Substitutes not used: Viveash, Ashdown (gk).

Wolverhampton: 4-4-2: Murray; Irwin, Lescott, Butler, Naylor; Newton, Cameron (Clyde, 90), Rae, Kennedy; Blake (Proudlock, 80), Miller (Sturridge, 87). Substitutes not used: Oakes (gk), Cooper.

Referee: R Beeby (Northampton).