Reading are in pole position to reach the FA Cup semi-finals after establishing a 2-0 half-time lead against Bradford City in this evening's quarter-final replay at the Madejski Stadium.
It took the Royals just six minutes to deflate the atmosphere among the travelling fans as Hal Robson-Kanu edged Stephen Darby and nodded home from close range following a corner.
The Bantams were still reeling from the early concession when the hosts went on to double their lead, Garath McCleary's shot from the right flank taking a deflection off Andy Halliday before soaring into the net.
Reading took their foot off the pedal somewhat but continued to threaten, with Danny Williams lashing an effort from long range that forced a smart save opposition goalkeeper Ben Williams.
Bradford struggled to get going in the first half of the match, doing little more than playing long balls to strikers James Hanson and Jon Stead that proved mostly ineffective.