In his first start, a headed goal from Martyn Waghorn close to the break gave Leicester City this magnificent result against Reading tonight to lift them back into the play-off frame.

Nigel Pearson's men now lie fifth in the Championship table, behind Middlesbrough only on goal difference, and came through this difficult test with great credit for the home side certainly belied their lowly position, making this a fine three points.

Paul Gallagher's two goals in the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace last week earned him a starting place at the Madejski Stadium. He was in for Lloyd Dyer while the only other change was  Waghorn for Steve Howard up front.

The visitors knew they were in for a tough contest when, in the opening seconds, Jobi McAnuff burst through for a shot well saved by Chris Weale but they also carved out an oening in the first minute, the Reading keeper racing off his line to foil Martyn Waghorn after a Matty Fryatt flick-on

City then looked promising again when a Gallagher header to Waghorn saw the striker set the ball back for Matt Oakley to test Adam Federici with a fine shot. Next, good work by Gallagher found Fryatt who made space for a shot on the turn just wide then Fryatt did the same with his effort being saved this time.

But play then switched to the other end where Grzegorz Rasiak was first foiled by a great clearance by Ryan McGivern then later saw a shot on the turn miss by inches before the Royals came so close.

McAnuff cut in from the right for a shot which came back off the left-hand post, the rebound effort being deflected behind by McGivern, the Royals luck being truly out as they didn't get the corner. It was a tough spell for City but great defence saw them through it, especially a fantastic save from Weale from Simon Church as the home side pressed hard leading up to the break.

But there was no way through and City's defensive strength paid off in the last minute of the half when, from the second of successive corners on the right, Oakley's cross was headed home by Waghorn for a 44th minute lead. Indeed, it could have been more for City as Richie Wellens sent Fryatt clean through but Federici made a vital save.

Once again, Reading started brightly for the second period, a McAnuff run and cross being turned behind by Church who should have done better but right away City swept upfield and could have eased the pressure as Fryatt was clean through but, as in the closing moments of the first half, he saw his effort saved by the keeper.

On the hour mark, City made two changes, both up front, Steve Howard on for Fryatt and DJ Campbell but it was the home side who were pressing, a McAnuff pass across the goalmouth finding no takers, a shot by Shane Long, on for Church, having a shot saved then a long-range effort being deflected to safety.

Campbell was unlucky to see his near-post shot smothered for a corner when he got on the end of a Neilson throw and in the closing minutes, City could have made sure, Oakley in after a great move but sent his parting shot wide then, in stoppage time, Howard got in on the right for a low shot inches wide of the far post, showing thyat, in the closing minutes, it was the visitors who were ultimately in control.

City: Weale; Neilson, Hobbs, Brown, McGivern, Oakley, A King, Wellens, Gallagher, Waghorn, Fryatt. Subs: Logan, Morrison, N'Guessan, Kermorgant, Campbell (60 for Waghorn), Berner (84 for Gallagher), Howard (60 for Fryatt).

Reading: Federici; Mills, Tabb, Matejovsky, McAnuff, Church, Rasiak, Bertrand, Sigurdsson, Pearce, Howard. Subs: Cisse, Gunnarsson, Long (64 for Church), Kebe (64 for Sigurdsson), Karacan, Hamer, Cummings.

Referee: K Hill.

Attendance: 16,192.