Reading FC boss Leam Richardson made one change to his starting line-up that drew 1-1 against Huddersfield Town the week before, with Finley Burns having replaced an injured Derrick Williams. Andy Rinomhota also made the bench for the Monday fixture, his first inclusion with the first team squad since November.

Lincoln City who were pushing to secure their promotion on Monday, opened their account early after a set-piece near the edge of the box four minutes into the half.

Reeco Hackett whipped the ball into the box and Ryan Oné made no mistake with his header to put the ball past Joel Pereira.

The Royals would go on to try and find an equaliser through Daniel Kyerewaa and then Kamari Doyle, but their efforts were blocked by the Lincoln backline. Ryan Nyambe made a challenge on the edge of the box to keep the ball in play, but lost out to allow the Imps to go on the counter.

The counter would end up in the back of the net and would have been goal had the referee not ruled it out for offside.

Lewis Wing had a shot from long-distance in the 12th minute however it was blocked, the subsequent corner fell to the skipper again from distance and his shot was blocked once again.

Brighton and Hove Albion loanee Kamari Doyle who had just returned from injury against Huddersfield Town who be forced off the pitch after holding his hamstring, Paddy Lane replaced him.

Reading controlled the lion’s share of possession but were unable to break down Lincoln’s shape or backline – Savage had a shot from distance in the 31st minute but it would go completely wide of the mark. Wing would face a similar situation five minutes later where his shot was blocked from distance.

Lincoln had a long-distance shot near the end of the half through Ryley Towler which forced Pereira to react quickly, but the ball just skimmed the crossbar. Hackett had another chance a few seconds later, also from distance, but it was blocked.

Daniel Kyerewaa, who had been a livewire for Reading throughout the half, saw a shot inside the box blocked at the end of the half.

HALF TIME – Reading 0 – 1 Lincoln City

Reading started off the second-half strong having had the first two attempts at goal within the first five minutes.

It was a familiar tale for Lewis Wing, as he saw his shot from distance blocked by the Lincoln defenders. Kyerewaa then took a shot from the edge of the box which was also blocked.

The Imps would retaliate through Hackett from distance but it was well wide of the mark and skirted across the box.

The game turned into a locking of horns, as both sides would press and counter-press interchangeably. Reading’s game plan was foiled by the Imps as they forced the Royals to pass the ball around their own half and around the promotion bound side’s formation.

Leam Richardson made changes to his squad to try and bring some life to his side, with Ryan Nyambe and Liam Fraser being taken off for Haydon Roberts and Will Keane respectively.

Despite the changes to the line-up, Reading wouldn’t have another shot for ten minutes, as the Imps piled on the pressure and put a header just wide of the post. Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan missed a header at the other end.

In a last throw of the dice, Richardson brought on Aston Villa loanee Kadan Young for Jeriel Dorsett.

Eight minutes were added, which saw Lewis Wing score an absolute peach of a freekick from just outside the box to bring the game level. The skipper put his right foot through the ball and put the ball in the top left corner.

Reading’s elation would last only four minutes, as after a poor touch from Will Keane in midfield, the Imps went on the counter with substitute Jack Moylan having made a run into the box and putting the ball straight past Pereira.

Lincoln City secured promotion to the Championship for the first time in 65 years in impressive fashion – whilst having killed the Royals hope for a finish in the playoff positions.

Reading will next make the trip up to Doncaster to face the Doncaster Rovers on March 11 for a 3pm kick-off.

FULL TIME – Reading 1 – 2 Lincoln City

FULL MATCH ATTENDANCE: 17,144 (2,884)

Reading: Pereira; O’Connor; Savage; Wing; Burns; Nyambe (Roberts 70′); Kyerewaa; Doyle (Lane 28′); Dorsett (Young 82′); Fraser (Keane 70′); Ehibhatiomhan.

Not Used: Stevens; Rinomhota; Yiadom.

Imps: Wickens, Darikwa, Towler, Hackett (Moylan 83′), McGrandles, Bradley, Jefferies (Elerewe 67′), House (Street 59′), Oné (Lloyd 68′), Hamer, Varfolomeev (Bayliss 83′).

Not Used: Jeacock; Ring. 

Goals: Oné (4′), Wing (90+2′), Moylan (90+6′)