Summary: Reading edged closer to relegation after two goals in a minute earned Norwich a vital three points at Carrow Road.

The victory all but ensures Chris Hughton's side will play Premier League football next season as they moved to within two points of the 40-point safety threshold.

Despite a spirited effort the Royals are now 10 points from safety and look doomed to the Championship just 12 months after winning promotion to the top-flight.

Norwich made a strong start to the game but had to wait until the second half to break the deadlock when defender Ryan Bennett, who replaced Michael Turner after 18 minutes, swept home from close range to score his first goal for the club.

And two minutes later the points were secured as Alex McCarthy flapped at Robert Snodgrass' cross and Elliott Bennett punished him by lashing the ball through his legs to put the Canaries two goals to the good.

But the visitors would have the final saw thanks to Garath McCleary's consolation goal. The winger was allowed to run at the Norwich defence and made them pay for it, arrowing a superb long-range strike past Mark Bunn with 18 minutes left.

Chris Hughton post match…"We're certainly not safe yet although the win will help us get to where we want to be. All we can do is put ourselves in the best position we can. We have four more games to get the required points."

Nigel Adkins post match…"We've done well in the first half and controlled the ball in the second half. But the damage was done with Norwich scoring two goals in two minutes. There's a reason for why we are where we are in the table. We need to analyse this and move on."

Good day for…Robert Snodgrass: A constant menace on the right wing with some driving runs and never gave the Reading back four a seconds worth of peace. A real driving force for Norwich.

Bad day for…Alex McCarthy: After his heroic display against Liverpool this was a bad day at the office for McCarthy. He looked nervous when coming out to collect aerial balls and was guilty of flapping at crosses putting his defence under unnecessary pressure.