Jon Stead gives boss Jim Magilton some breathing space

The Tractor Boys finally found top gear after a stuttering start to the season.

Two home defeats already meant the pressure was mounting on Town boss Jim Magilton.

But the Ipswich players gave their manager some breathing space as new signing Jon Stead made his mark.

His perfectly placed left-foot shot was right out of the top drawer and the loan striker made himself an instant favourite.

Jon Walters wrapped up the points with a powerful header late on, proving that a few stitches in a head wound cannot keep a good man down.

Magilton said: "It is obviously a relief to get our first home win of the season and now we have to keep reproducing that sort of form.

"Despite the indifferent results and the mass hysteria, our philosophy has not changed and we have got the reward for sticking to our principles.

"It is all a matter of confidence and the first goal was always going to be important.

"I was glad when it came because my job was on the line," he said with tongue firmly in cheek.

Reading should have taken the lead after nine minutes when Jimmy Kebe broke clear, but Richard Wright produced a crucial save.

Stead, making his first start following his move from Sheffield United, had a chance after 20 minutes but failed to make a decent contact.

Pablo Counago did get good contact with a header moments later, but his effort from Stead's cross struck the underside of the bar and bounced clear to Reading's relief.

Counago hit the woodwork once again with a stunning volley before Alex Pearce went close for Reading just before the break.

Ipswich continued in a positive vein in the second half and eventually got their reward after 63 minutes when Stead produced a quality finish from the edge of the box.

There was always a danger that Reading might strike on the break, but the impressive Walters settled the issue with a well-deserved goal four minutes from time.

Reading boss Steve Coppell said: "If we had taken one of our early chances it could have been a different story.

"I think we should have defended better for the first goal, but you have to say it was an exceptional strike.

"Our desire to get an equaliser created a few holes and their second goal was farcical."

Dave Smith (sundaymirror.co.uk)