Birmingham v Reading (FAC)

[kennethlindheim]

Birmingham and Reading meet in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday just 12 months after meeting at the same stage last season.

Blues overcame Reading last term after a replay and Reading will be looking to gain revenge at St Andrews.

Steve Bruce's men go into the game fresh after last weekend's Championship clash with Leicester was postponed.

Radhi Jaidi is available again for the home side after serving a suspension, but recent signing Rowan Vine is cup-tied.

Cameron Jerome and DJ Campbell are expected to start in attack after impressing in the replay win over Newcastle.

Reading are sweating on the fitness of Shane Long as he struggles to shake off a thigh problem.

Steve Coppell is already without top scorer Kevin Doyle, Dave Kitson, Ibrahima Sonko and Brynjar Gunnarsson through injury.

Andre Bikey is expected to replace Sonko at the back, while goalkeeper Adam Federici could be given a rare start.

Nicky Shorey has recovered from food poisoning and he is set to start.

Sky Sports - The Best Sport Coverage From Around The World

[Trim]

First half has ended, and Reading is leading 2-0. Goals scored by Kitson & Lita.

[kennethlindheim]

Reading survived a second-half rally from Birmingham to advance to the fifth round of the FA Cup for only the second time in 72 years.

Steve Coppell's side looked to be in complete control of the game thanks to first-half goals from Dave Kitson and Leroy Lita.

But Martin Taylor pulled a goal back just after the break with a superb finish and it took until the 82nd minute for Reading to put the game beyond reach through Lita.

Sebastian Larsson got a late goal from a free-kick on the edge of the area but it was too little too late as the full-time whistle blew seconds later.

Reading made a bright start to the game and Seol Ki-hyeon fired an early shot on Maik Taylor's goal before creating the opener with a strong run down the right.

The South Korean international darted to the by-line before pulling the ball back for Kitson to fire low into the bottom corner after turning Martin Taylor in the box.

Birmingham almost pulled level instantly when Fabrice Muamba's ball was flicked on by Cameron Jerome into the path of DJ Campbell, but the former Brentford man's effort went the wrong side of the post.

Jerome went close to scoring moments later when, after sneaking in alone at the back post, he headed Larsson's free-kick goal-wards only for Adam Federici to get across and keep it out.

Campbell dragged a shot wide from the edge of the area after some good work in the build-up, while Muamba's fierce drive tested Federici low to his left.

Reading were grateful for a last-gasp challenge from Sam Sodje denying Campbell a free run at goal and his Birmingham strike partner Jerome should have done better when fed in by Larsson soon after.

The home side were made to pay for their inability in front of goal just before half-time when The Royals doubled their advantage in similar fashion to the opener.

Bobby Convey was the supplier this time from the left and his low cross into Lita was dug out well by the Reading front-man who poked home from close range.

Steve Bruce's half-time team-talk had the desired effect as Birmingham got back in the game early in the second half through an unlikely scorer in Taylor.

Reading will be ruing some slack defending as the ball could have been cleared in the build up to the goal but instead Taylor found space on the corner of the area and launched a low drive past the outstretched left hand of Federici.

Graeme Murty denied Campbell the chance to net the equaliser after good work from Jerome and Federici produced a smart save from Gary McSheffrey's effort from 25 yards.

Lita had the chance to restore their two-goal advantage from Convey's cross, but his header dropped agonisingly wide.

However, the Royals striker did get his second and Reading's third with eight minutes remaining as he pounced on Simon Cox's flick from Seol's pass and finished calmly past Maik Taylor.

McSheffrey had a chance to get a goal back before Larsson's late consolation deep into stoppage time made it 3-2.

Sky Sports - The Best Sport Coverage From Around The World