Sport : Football

READING GO UP TO PREMIER LEAGUE

17th April 2012, 10:53pm

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Mikele Leigertwood celebrates with Reading's fans.

Mikele Leigertwood celebrates with Reading's fans.

Mikele Leigertwood netted a late winner as Reading beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 to clinch promotion back to the Barclays Premier League.

The midfielder broke the deadlock in the 81st minute as the Royals eventually overcame a dogged Forest side to spark wild celebrations at the Madejski Stadium.

The goal came minutes after news filtered through that West Ham had been held to a 1-1 draw by Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

Forest, though, came close to snatching a point and putting the champagne on ice but substitute Marcus Tudgay's header was cleared off the line by Alex Pearce with the striker's follow-up effort being kept out by Adam Federici deep into injury time.

It was Reading's sixth successive Championship win, eighth in a row at home and their 15th in the last 17 games, form which has seen them leapfrog long-time leaders Southampton at the summit.

Despite the defeat, only their second in eight games, Forest secured Championship football for another season with Coventry losing at home to Millwall.

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