Louis Reed goal against Reading gives Mansfield first win in 10 league matches

Louis Reed’s deflected goal gave Mansfield their first win in 10 league matches as they beat Reading 1-0.

Midfielder Reed struck from the edge of the area in the 69th minute following substitute Regan Hendry’s cut-back to ease the home side’s relegation worries as the visitors missed the chance to move into League One’s top six for the first time this season.

Mansfield, impressive as they were beaten 2-1 by Arsenal in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday, performed well again to overcome an off-colour Reading, whose six-match unbeaten run came to an end.

Goalkeeper Joel Pereira made two fine first-half saves, pushing away Jon Russell’s snapshot from eight yards before beating out Will Evans’ curler from just outside the penalty area.

The Reading goalkeeper pushed over Evans’ sharp rising drive on the turn midway through the second half, but Reed struck soon afterwards.

Pereira reacted brilliantly again less than a minute after the goal to tip over Stephen McLaughlin’s swerving shot – but Benn Ward almost equalised right at the end with a header from Finley Burns’ cross, which keeper Liam Roberts kept out at the near post.