MK Dons 1 (Baldock 25)
Reading 2 (Kebe 18, Hunt 63)

The Royals earned another friendly victory this afternoon, beating MK Dons 2-1 in a lively encounter at stadium:mk.

The influential Jimmy Kebe opened the scoring on 18 minutes, capitalising on some nice work by Liam Rosenior down the right wing.

The lead only lasted five minutes though, Sam Baldock stabbing in an equaliser that evaded Adam Federici.

Steve Coppell made a voluntary substitution on 35 minutes, withdrawing Leroy Lita after the frontman had been booked following an off-the-ball incident.

Kevin Doyle came on in his place, but lasted less than 20 minutes before succumbing to a minor hamstring problem.

Stephen Hunt came on to replace his fellow Irishman, and made it 2-1 just after the hour with a lovely team goal again involving Kebe, as well as sub Alex Pearce.

It was Reading's best performance of pre-season so far, and they are ticking along nicely ahead of the start of the Championship season.

Video highlights will be on Reading World on Monday.

Reading: Federici; Rosenior, Shorey (Kelly 70), Duberry (Pearce 59), Ingimarsson (c); Harper, Karacan, Kebe, Convey; Lita (Doyle 39 (Hunt 54), Long
Subs: McCarthy

MK Dons: Abbey; Regan, Lewington (c) (Dobson HT), O'Hanlon (Howell HT), Stirling; Leven (King 70) , Navarro (Mitchell 59), Johnson (Morgan HT), Sturm; Baldock (Chicksen 59), Wilbraham
Sub: Fox

Attendance: 4170 (691 away fans)

First half
MK Dons started nice and bright, and with four minutes gone Sam Baldock arrowed a strike not too far wide.

Reading soon began to settle though, and Jimmy Kebe danced into the box on 15, only to see his shot blocked by a quickly-retreating defender.

The Royals were stepping up the pace, and Bobby Convey put in a good cross from the left that neither Shane Long nor Leroy Lita could capitalise on.

The opening goal came with 18 on the clock, and it was nicely created. Liam Rosenior showed MK's left back a clean pair of heels, and it allowed him to pick out a perfect cross for the onrushing Kebe, who lashed high into the net with a good first-time finish.

Kebe had showed some nice touches, and his good play was backed up by a nice goal, his second in two games.

But the lead only lasted five minutes. Baldock turned inside the box, and shot left-footed, with Adam Federici unable to get down to his right and keep it out.

Dons got a quick head of steam, and Aaron Wilbraham could have done better with a header.

Ten minutes before the break, Lita received the ball at his feet inside the area and tried to turn his man Sean O'Hanlon, who was right up behind him. As the striker tried to roll him, he fell to ground and the ball remained near his head as lay on the turf. O'Hanlon kicked, and in doing so appeared to connect with both ball and man.

The ball ran loose toward midfield, and once Lita got to his feet he went over to O'Hanlon and seemed to barge him in the back. Play was stopped, and after consulting with his linesman, referee Phil Gibbs showed Lita a yellow card.

Steve Coppell immediately decided he wished to make a change, and brought on Kevin Doyle in Lita's place; the former Bristol City man going to get changed.

The first half action was not done yet though, and Federici had to make an excellent low reaction save on 41 to deny Peter Leven's low shot.

Second half
The Dons made three changes at the break, with former Reading man Dean Morgan getting a runout on trial from Luton Town. O'Hanlon was one of those replaced by new boss Roberto Di Matteo.

Unfortunately for Doyle his afternoon only last 18 minutes, and he was forced off injured on 54 following an innocuous-looking challenge in midfield. It was only a minor hamstring strain and Stephen Hunt came on his place and immediately went up front.

Four minutes later Long had a sight of goal but forced a good save from Dons keeper Nathan Abbey.

With a little more than an hour on clock, Reading scored an excellent second goal. Sub Alex Pearce started things off with a nice pass from the back into the feet of Hunt, and he found Kebe out wide with a good ball.

Kebe got toward the byline, looked into the area and found Hunt waiting to turn home; the Irishman taking a touch with the left before stabbing home on his right foot.

Malian wingman Kebe was causing problems, and good feet from him inside the box gave Long a chance but again Abbey made the stop.

The game was opening up, and Craig Dobson went on a nice run and stung Federici's palms from a tight angle.

Almost immediately we broke, and Convey had a one-on-one from the halfway line but took a little too long. He tried to find Kebe, but the leggy winger fell over under pressure right on the edge of the penalty area.

There were more half-chances at both ends, and it was an entertaining match with Reading being well tested and put through their paces as they step up preparations for the Coca-Cola Championship season.

Video highlights will be on our online TV station Reading World on Monday.