Pool slip closer to the relegation zone to 17th place after top placed Reading strolled to 3-0 victory thanks to a Nick Forster hat-trick. One win in ten doesnt make good reading for Steve McMahon, and the Blackpool boss will need to look for improvement from his defenders as the Seasiders are just leaking goals at the moment.

Reading have been in hot form recently, before the Seasiders trip to the Madejski stadium The Royals had won 4 on a trot without conceding. And from the opening minutes, it looked obvious that the home side had full intentions to extend their impressive run. Former Coventry full back John Salako had the first effort of the game, his left foot drive flashed past Phil Barnes post to give a taster of what was to come.

Two goals in as many minutes practically killed off Pool and won the game for Reading. After 20 minutes Nick Forster grabbed his first of three when he crashed home a header from Sammy Igoe's right-wing cross. His second, just minutes after the opener was thanks to a calamitous mix up in the Blackpool defence that infuriate Steve McMahon. A mis-understanding between Brian Reid and Phil Barnes gifted Forster his second when he was presented with an open net and couldnt miss.

Reading dominated the rest of the half and just 6 minutes after the restart, Forster completed his hat-trick. Sammy Igoe was involved again, making a powerful run into the Blackpools half before laying off to Rougier, who set Forster running on the inside right channel. The frontman had been excellent this season and it as no surprise when he calmly passed the ball beyond Barnes for his third of the game and 11th of the season.

Reading substitutes Jamie Cureton and Darius Henderson should have added to the home side's tally but both fired high and wide to let Steve McMahon's men off the hook.

At the other end Richie Wellens tried his best to give the visiting Seasiders fans something to cheer about, but he was unable to finish on two occasions.

Blackpool 0

Reading 3

(Forster 3)