READING won three crucial points in their battle against relegation from the Championship this season after a 2-1 victory against Brentford on Saturday, writes Rob Stevens.

Two goals inside the first 15 minutes at the Madejski Stadium from Yakou Meite put the Royals in the driving seat at the Madejski Stadium.

The Bees pulled a goal back through Neal Maupay before half-time and piled on the pressure late on in the game, but the home side defended resiliently for a crucial win.

Reading made an incredible start at the Madejski Stadium and were ahead inside eight minutes. Modou Barrow played a great ball through for Yakou Meite to run on to. Meite got there well and slotted home to edge the Royals ahead.

The home side should have doubled their advantage three minutes later when Nelson Oliveira whipped a dangerous ball across goal to Barrow but he wide man mistimed his strike and the ball bounced out.

Reading did go two goals ahead as Lewis Baker delivered the perfect ball from a free-kick into the box and Meite smartly headed home in the 15th minute.

Brentford then had a more extended spell on the ball but solid defending from the Royals seemed to neutralising their attack.

The hosts came close to a third goal when Baker played a great ball through to Oliveira. The forward got on the end of it and a quick turn allowed him to shoot, but straight at Bees keeper Luke Daniels.

Brentford pulled a goal back as Reading keeper Emiliano Martinez spilled a ball and allowed Neal Maupay to tap in after 44 minutes.

The Royals were unfortunate not to score seven minutes into the second half when Baker struck a 40-yard free-kick with power and placement but Daniels just managed to tip it over the crossbar.

Meite came close to completing his hat-trick in the 62nd minute. A superb drive and cross from Andrew Yiadom was met by the head of Meite but he put it over the bar.

The home side went close again three minutes later as another superb Yiadom cross reached Oliveira at the far post but his shot was flicked over the bar.

Ovie Ejaria was next to have a go for Reading but his low-driven shot from the edge of the box was wide of the post.

Reading then had keeper Martinez to thank for a couple of big saves as Brentford piled on the pressure inside the final 15 minutes, but the home team defended resiliently.

The win means the Royals have moved up one place to 19th position in the league table and four points above the relegation zone with four matches still to play this season.

Reading are away at Bristol City on Good Friday (12 noon) before hosting West Bromwich Albion at the Madejski Stadium on Easter Monday (3pm).