Birmingham City slumped to yet another defeat as Reading collect three vital points with their 2-1 win over the Blues on Saturday.

Andre Bikey put Reading in a deserved lead in the 31st minute but Birmingham fought back in the second half to equalize as Mauro Zarate scored his first goal of the league in the 64th minute. But Reading once again managed to put their noses in front as Bikey scored his second goal of the match to give his side a vital win.

Reading started the match on the attack with Stephen Hunt and Kevin Doyle at the heart of some of the hosts' best attacking moves in the first half. Birmingham almost took the lead against the run of play when Gary McSheffrey drove his shot towards the target but narrowly missed the post.

Hunt almost grabbed the lead for Reading but his stinging drive smashed against the cross bar. Reading's pressure finally told in the 31st minute when Bikey was the first to reach Oster's curling free kick and headed the ball home from close range.

Mikel Forssell had a great chance to put Birmingham level just before half time but his poked attempt rolled inches wide of the post. The visitors pressed forward in the second half and were rewarded with the equalizer in the 64th minute when Forssell squared the ball for Zarate to slot his first goal in English football.

However fifteen minutes later Reading were back in front as Bikey once again nodded home Nicky Shorey's free kick from the right flank and Reading held on to their lead to claim all three points from the game.