Reading have headed into the interval with a 2-0 lead over Championship strugglers Bolton Wanderers courtesy of goals from Lucas Piazon and Danny Williams.
The first attempt of the afternoon came from range in the third minute when Royals striker Nick Blackman let fly, failing to trouble Ben Amos in the visitors' goal.
Bolton almost took the lead moments later as Shola Ameobi rose high in the box to meet Jose Casado's free kick, forcing Ali Al-Habsi into action.
Al-Habsi came to Reading's rescue again in the 13th minute, making himself big to block a goal-bound effort from Mark Davies.
Neil Lennon's side were almost pegged back three minutes later when Garath McCleary released Blackman along the right flank, but the striker's effort was tipped behind by Amos.
Bolton failed to make their early dominance count and fell behind just before the half-hour mark when Piazon charged down a clearance and bundled the ball beyond Amos to break the deadlock.
Reading took a two-goal lead into half time thanks to Williams's strike in the 34th minute, the American midfielder rifling home from the edge of the box to leave the Trotters with it all to do after the break.
