Supersub Long sinks Newcastle

Shane Long, seen here in action in September 2007, made an instant impact as his late strike gave Reading a 2-1 victory over Newcastle on Saturday.

Shane Long made an instant impact as his late strike gave Reading a 2-1 victory over Newcastle on Saturday.

Irish forward Long had only been on the pitch moments as a second half substitute when he popped up to settle a tight tussle at the Madejski Stadium with his second goal of the season.

Dave Kitson had given Reading the lead but Michael Duberry's own goal drew Newcastle level in the second half.

Steve Coppell's side climb into midtable after their second win in four games, while Newcastle slumped to a fourth successive away defeat.

Leroy Lita squandered a glorious chance to put Reading ahead in the 12th minute when he completely missed his kick at Kevin Doyle's cross.

Michael Owen fared little better moments later. Geremi's cross picked out Owen, but goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann came out to meet him and the England striker let the ball slip away.

Lita was in the thick of the action again when he drove in a low shot that Shay Given saved low to his left.

Newcastle midfielder Geremi has a ferocious shot and he tried his luck with a free-kick that flashed past Hahnemann's far post.

Claudio Cacapa almost gifted Reading the lead when his backpass trickled past Given and it took a desperate scramble by the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper to keep it out.

Joey Barton was making his first competitive start for Newcastle and went close with a shot deflected behind for a corner.

Reading hit straight back as Stephen Hunt set up Lita but the England Under-21 international dragged his shot wide.

Coppell's team went ahead in the 52nd minute when Kitson met Hunt's ball into the box with a perfectly-placed shot.

The goal was just reward for Reading's enterprising play but having done everything right, the Royals presented Newcastle with a gift-wrapped equaliser.

Duberry was the guilty party as he tried to control Alan Smith's flick from Emre's free-kick on his chest, but instead directed the ball into his own net.

Coppell responded by sending on Long for Lita with seven minutes remaining and his decision was vindicated immediately.

Ibrahima Sonko's header beat Given and Long was perfectly placed to hook into the net.