READING exacted revenge for their play-off semi-final defeat by dumping Burnley out of the FA Cup.

The game looked to be heading for a replay at Turf Moor with the Premier League visitors' chances restricted, while Reading squandered theirs.

But the Clarets were caught napping in the 88th minute when Andy Griffin's hopeful pass from the right touchline was snapped up by Gylfi Sigurdsson, and the young Icelandic stroked his finish into the bottom corner to secure a second consecutive top flight scalp for the managerless Championship strugglers.

The Royals have only won once in the league this season, but having drawn with Liverpool in the third round and caused an upset in the replay at Anfield, spirits have been lifted at the Madejski Stadium by the cup.

And their buoyancy spilled over into this game as they were the better side in a dire first half.

Grzegorz Rasiak conjured a host of half chances, while Sigurdsson also had a couple of sights of goal.

Chris Eagles produced Burnley's only effort on the stroke of half-time; an ambitious overhead kick that dropped wide of Adam Federici's goal.

The Clarets were better after the break, but struggled to make an impact with only one man up front.

Lone striker Steven Thompson was replaced by the fit-again Martin Paterson at half-time for the striker's first appearance since suffering knee cartilage damage in September.

He blazed a good chance over with about 15 minutes to go as Burnley enjoyed a spell of pressure.

But Reading found another gear in the closing stages, and Sigurdsson finished well to clinch a late, and deserved, win.