Nick Blackman has helped Reading edge into the fourth round of the FA Cup after his goal proved enough to see off the challenge of 10-man Huddersfield Town this afternoon.

© Getty Images

The game started tentatively as both sides looked to establish control at the John Smith's Stadium.

There were a number of stoppages following some hard tackles and Reading's Jamie Mackie received a yellow card for a particularly heavy challenge on Harry Bunn.

Danny Guthrie played a neat through ball to send Chris Gunter away, but his disappointing cross went out of play.

After the break, Reading keeper Mikkel Andersen was alert to dash out of his goal and gather a headed pass back which dropped slightly short.

The game started to liven up as the second half went on and James Vaughan spurned the match's best chance when he headed over the bar after finding himself in space inside the box.

Huddersfield were made to rue the missed chance as Blackman put Reading in front with a fine finish following good interplay from Danny Williams and Hal Robson-Kanu.

Sean Scannell, in response, had a shot from 25 yards which flew past the post.

Nahki Wells then saw a flick roll wide of the goal before Jonathan Hogg saw red for the hosts following a second bookable offence.