Paddy Lane's first league goal of the season helped Reading secure a 5-1 away win at MK Dons, a result that propelled the club into the League One play-off places. The winger tapped home from an Udoka Godwin-Malife cross to open the scoring, setting the tone for a comprehensive victory that moved Reading up to sixth in the table with 15 points from nine games.
Lane, who joined from Portsmouth in the summer of 2025, has become a key figure on the left flank, starting the past seven league matches. His goal against MK Dons was his eighth direct contribution this term, having also registered an assist in his first nine appearances for the club. The 25-year-old said the team's commitment to manager Leam Richardson's methods is paying off.
"The staff and the gaffer have been on at the wide and forward players to get into the box and attack it with pace," Lane told reporters. He added that the squad's collective work ethic is the foundation for performances like the one at Stadium MK. Lane's goal arrived in the 12th minute, a key early strike that settled the visitors.
The win was part of a four-game unbeaten run in the league, which included draws with Bradford and Wycombe and a victory over Notts County. Reading's form has been solid, with four wins, three draws and two defeats so far, leaving them four points behind leaders Plymouth. The team's defensive record has been a cornerstone, conceding only nine goals in the nine league matches to date.
Reading followed the MK Dons triumph with an EFL Trophy match against Chelsea's Under-21s, which they lost 2-0. Attention now turns fully to the league campaign and a trip to face bottom-placed Wigan on Saturday. That fixture at the DW Stadium kicks off at 15:00 GMT. The full schedule is available on our fixtures page. Lane and his teammates will be aiming to maintain their momentum and stay in the top six.
The report in full is at bbc.co.uk
