Brian McDermott's Royals hung on for a crucial victory at Doncaster Rovers this evening, despite a nervy end to a dramatic second half at the Keepmoat.

Shane Long put Reading ahead with a good glancing header on Brian Howard's 39th minute cross and the Royals were in control.

And Brian Howard seemed to secure the points for Reading when he passed home a second under Neil Sullivan with only 13 minutes of the match remaining.

But Matt Mills blocked a late Rovers strike with his chest and arm and was duly sent off against his former club. Billy Sharp stroked home the penalty to set up a tense finale in South Yorkshire.

And Reading needed a couple of acrobatic saves from Adam Federici and more than ten minutes of stubborn defending to deny Doncaster an equaliser.

Deny them they did though, repelling attack after attack and heading away cross after cross. And Reading hung on for three invaluable and deserved points to the delight of the travelling fans.

Speaking to the post-match press, Royals boss Brian McDermott said: "It was a big win today, the team were real warriors today.

"Off the back of the win we had over Barnsley last week - we had to follow that up. We've done that and I'm delighted."

Referring to Matt Mills' red card, McDermott said: "I haven't seen the replay yet. Someone said it was a bit harsh, someone else said it was a penalty,"

"It was a double whammy for us - they get the penalty and score and we've also lost Millsy to a red card.

"So the last ten - or, in fact, seventeen minutes with all the injury time - were made very difficult for us.

"Down to ten men, it's very very difficult. At 2-0, I thought we were good value and deserved to be winning by that margin.

"We could have done without the seven minutes of injury time at the end, that's for sure.

"But we hung in there. I know Donny hit the bar but Adam Federici made some teriffic saves at the end."

The Aussie stopper made two or three match-winning stops in a nervy end to the match for Royals fans, and Brian was pleased with his side's resolve when the going got tough.

"I thought we were resilient. It was a terrific away performance.

"Adam was very assured in goal at the end, Khizanishvili came on after we lost Millsy too and he was a calming influence at the back.

"Long got the first and worked his socks off and I'm really, really pleased for Brian Howard.

"He's been training really well, I've been talking to him regularly, and today he gave us a great cross for the goal and a fabulous finish to make it 2-0.

"His response every day is good - he works hard and he's a good character around the place. He's getting fitter and fitter and he ran all day today.

"And of course Millsy was outstanding coming back to his old club. It's sometimes difficult coming back to your old club; he's got a lot of friends around here - but he did it right.

"His performance was excellent today - as was the display from the rest of the team."

McDermott's men now meet Plymouth Argyle at Madejski Stadium on Tuesday in a match that could make a big difference at the bottom of the table.

"We now play Plymouth at home now, we look forward to getting back and playing in front of our own fans.

"We've got a really exciting win behind us and now we have Plymouth on Tuesday and then West Brom in the cup. I can't wait!"