Lincoln secure promotion to Championship after last-gasp victory at Reading

Lincoln clinched promotion to the Sky Bet Championship thanks to a hard-earned 2-1 victory at play-off chasers Reading.

Needing just one point to return to the second tier for the first time in 65 years, the Imps made a bright start and went ahead in the fifth minute through Ryan One.

Reading levelled in the second minute of stoppage time from a Lewis Wing free-kick, but Jack Moylan snatched the winner four minutes later.

City’s 2,884 fans in the packed away end had plenty to cheer early on when One nodded home a Reeco Hackett-Fairchild free-kick which home goalkeeper Joel Pereira should perhaps have saved.

Reading, unbeaten at home in their previous 10 matches, were unable to make any headway against the Imps’ well-drilled defence.

Charlie Savage fired wastefully wide in a rare home attack, while defender Ryley Towler drove narrowly over as the visitors almost doubled their lead.

Lincoln were content to sit back for much of the second period, their job almost completed, as the Royals drove forward relentlessly but fruitlessly.

City substitute Alfie Lloyd headed wide from a Conor McGrandles cross before Reading equalised through Wing’s fine 20-yard free kick.

In the sixth minute of added time, Moylan slammed home from close range as Lincoln returned to the second tier for the first time since 1961 and dealt a blow to the home side’s play-off hopes.