Saints have been knocked off of the top of the Championship table for the first time in almost two months after Reading defeated ten man Leeds at the Madejski Stadium.

Despite having a man advantage for the majority of the match following a red card for Zac Thomson after just 13 minutes, Reading struggled to find a breakthrough against Neil Warnock’s men.

It looked as though the game would finish in a draw – or even an unlikely Leeds win with Ross McCormack hitting the post and Robert Snodgrass failing to convert a glorious chance - before two goals in the final six minutes from substitute Adam Le Fondre bagged the Royals the points.

The win lifted Reading a point above Saints with Nigel Adkins’ men now having even more reason – as if any were needed – to defeat Portsmouth in the derby game at St Mary’s and restore their two point advantage with five games remaining.

West Ham also piled on the pressure by closing to within three points of Saints as they thrashed Barnsley 4-0.