Norwich City Under-23 inflicted just a fourth defeat of the season on their Reading counterparts, as goals from Tristan Abrahams and Savvas Mourgos earned a 2-0 win at Carrow Road.
A youthful City side took a first-half lead against the Royals, after Abrahams was sent to the floor in the box by Ramarni Medford-Smith – although the penalty decision looked a tad soft – and the striker stepped up to dink home his 12th minute spot kick and seventh goal of the season.
Matt Gill's Canaries had to wait until 11 minutes from time to make the game safe, as Mourgos fired home from the edge of the box against a strong visiting side.
Premier League Two victory was the perfect response to City's defeat at Blackburn last time out, at the end of January.
Ryan East and Liam Kelly both had chances to draw Reading level in the first half, while Abrahams and Max Aarons could have extended City's advantage sooner.
City goalkeeper Aston Oxborough produced an excellent reaction save on the hour mark to deny Medford-Smith, before the woodwork got in the way of Tyler Frost's low strike.
But City held out until Mourgos sealed their win with a precise finish.
• City U23 (4-4-2): Oxborough; Thomas, Odusina, Wallis, Kamal; Aarons (c, Power 60), Mourgos, Sambu, McIntosh (Payne 78); Abrahams, Fonkeu. Unused subs: Hallett, Idah, Thorvaldsson. Goals: Abrahams pen (12), Mourgos (79); Bookings: Odusina.
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