In a week when Brian McDermott was handed the permanent position of Reading manager it seemed somewhat ironic that McDermott's first game without the word caretaker in his job title should be against Barnsley. The last time the two clubs met in late August, Reading triumphed 3-1 at Oakwell with mass demonstrations by Barnsley fans taking place after the match leading to the subsequent removal of Simon Davey from the Barnsley manager's chair.

Now, under the guidance of the former Reading and Manchester United striker Mark Robins, Barnsley sat in a mid table position in the Championship. Since the turn of the year the Tykes have lost three matches including being knocked out of the FA Cup by Scunthorpe United. However Barnsley got back to winning ways in South Yorkshire on Tuesday night with a 1-0 win at Oakwell over Leicester City. The parallel between Reading and Barnsley is quite striking. On the same night twenty miles away, Reading was experiencing their first defeat in Sheffield since January 2003, with a 3-0 loss at the hands of Sheffield United. What is more, Reading had good reason to fear Barnsley. The Tykes have already won at the Madejski Stadium this season having knocked Reading out of the Carling Cup just days before the league meeting between the two clubs at Oakwell.

Today though saw Reading complete the double over Barnsley and chalk up their second home league win of the season, thanks to Shane Long who grabbed the winner. Long who has a habit of scoring important goals for Reading, including the cup winner at Anfield, has not been a regular starter for Reading this season. Instead Shane Long has been preferred as a substitute who often comes off the bench to grab vital goals. In that respect Long has been successful, but today the Irish striker was on the pitch from the start. The qualities of Long, who has a combative, fighting streak are perfect for Reading who now have a fight on their hands to avoid relegation. Long displayed that spirit in the 29th minute when he stabbed home from the edge of the six yard penalty box.

Long's 29th minute strike turned out to be the only goal of the game, but Reading should have put the game out of sight. Barnsley had their chances and appeared to be a dangerous team, especially prior to Long's goal in the 18th minute. Ryan Bertrand was forced to hook away an Adam Hamill effort that could looked likely to find its way into the net. Reading then tested the patience of their supporters further as Barnsley regularly picked holes in the Reading defence. Fortunately for Reading Barnsley were unable to capitalise when in close proximity to the Reading goal; Jon Macken's 25th minute shot wide of the goal being a prime example.

Mark Robins described his side's performance as poor, but on reflection that seemed harsh on a side that played intricate football and could have got at least a point. Perhaps that is the Reading perspective coming into play. After all Reading fans have been starved of home success this season and most sides will therefore appear dangerous. The game could and should have been won 2-0 in the 62nd minute. Ryan Bertrand charged down the left side and drove the ball across the goal. Jobi McAnuff connected sweetly, appearing to pass the ball into the net. A goal looked a certainty, however, the ball struck the bottom of the left hand post and was somehow cleared.

Reading hung on for the victory, but are still in the relegation zone. With plenty of games to go and plenty of twists and turns still to come, Reading's fate is hardly sealed just yet. Brian McDermott was pleased with the victory as well he should be, but he also recognised that there is still a very long way to go and more hard work is required.

By Stuart Croucher.