Shane Long came off the bench to grab a winner with his first touch of the match as Reading defeated Newcastle United 2-1 in the Premiership match on Saturday.

Newcastle's defensive woes continued as Reading took the lead seven minutes into the second half before the visitors pulled level thanks to a deflected shot off Michael Duberry. With just 6 minutes remaining, Long came off the bench to grab the winner, leaving Newcastle with a third successive away defeat of the season.

Reading started the game strongly and should have taken the lead in the 12th minute when Kevin Doyle found Leroy Lita in the penalty area, but the striker made a hash of his chance, slashing his foot over the ball with just Shay Given to beat.

Newcastle almost let in an embarrassing own goal when Claudio Cacapa back-passed the ball past Given who had to race back to stop he ball before rolling into the net. Lita had another great chance to put Reading in the lead when he was once again in possession of the ball with just Given to beat, but though he managed to connect the ball this time, it flew high over the cross bar.

Reading finally took the lead in the 52nd minute when Hunt crossed the ball through Lita's legs leaving Dave Kitson with a simple finish from close range. Newcastle pressed forward in search of an equalizer and were rewarded in the 76th minute when Emre's free kick was flicked on towards the target by Alan Smith. The ball would have had gone harmlessly wide of the target only for Michael Duberry to chest the ball into the net.

Steve Coppell went for the kill, bringing on Shane Long in the 83rd minute to replace Lita and the move paid instant dividends as he controlled Sonko's flick on before slotting the ball past Given to grab all three points for Reading.