Alexander penalty gives Burnley advantage
Graham Alexander gave his side a slender lead
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Saturday, 09, May 2009 08:31
A late penalty from Graham Alexander gave Burnley a slender 1-0 lead against Reading after the Championship play-off first-leg.
Reading had started the game on the front foot and came close to taking the lead when Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jensen made a brilliant save from a thumping Jay Tabb shot after Marek Matejovsky had done well to pull the ball back for his team-mate.
Matejovsky had a chance to score from the rebound, but shot tamely at goal from a tight angle and Jensen made a simple save.
Kevin Doyle came agonisingly close to giving Reading the lead as he followed up a saved Andre Bikey header, but Martin Paterson made an excellent block for Burnley on the goal-line.
Reading suffered a huge blow when Doyle hobbled off with an achilles injury and will now be a major doubt for the second-leg.
The home side had been non-existent as an attacking force and only had Chris McCann shot deflected wide by Michael Duberry to show for their efforts.
Reading should have taken the lead when Jimmy Kebe did brilliantly to skip past the Burnley defence, but was unable to find an unmarked Dave Kitson in the penalty area.
The Royals were made to pay for their failure to take their chances as Burnley scored a vital goal six minutes from time. Steven Thompson managed to get clear of Bikey and the Reading defender pulled back Thompson for a clear penalty.
Alexander stepped-up and smashed the ball home for his 11th goal of the season and give his side a lead to take to the Madejski Stadium.
Reading suffered another blow late on when they had Bikey sent-off late on for stamping on Robbie Blake.