Aaron Ramsey’s inspired substitutions saw Reading-born duo Gatlin O’Donkor and Mo Missanga score to put the U’s four points clear of their Thames Valley rivals.

A stalemate first half saw the Royals force saves from Simon Eastwood and Aidomo Emakhu go close before the Yellows found the quality needed to beat Leam Richardson’s side.

The win sees Oxford beat their county neighbours for the first time since 1999 and go 10 league matches unbeaten.

As Oxford grappled for control early on, it was Reading who hit out first, Kyreece Lisbie with a wicked ball across the face of goal which was not met.

Jack Marriott’s swing at goal moments later was cut out by Kai Andrews before Tyler Goodrham ran into trouble in the box after a neat turn.

Marriott tried again with a tame enough bicycle kick for Eastwood to claim.

A neat move from Jack Currie to Goodrham to Siriki Dembele saw the latter slot Emakhu into the box, but the Irishman was unable to compose himself and finish, Joel Pereira coming out to curtail the threat.

Michal Helik had a weak header saved from a free kick, the Royals retaliating later on as Eastwood parried away a Marriott attempt impressively.

Reading started the second half with vigour, hitting the post with a Padhraic O’Connor header, Eastwood stopping a flick at goal from Lisbie with the rebound.

Marriott headed wide from the resulting corner before Oxford picked up the pressure, Cameron Brannagan forcing a save from a powerful free kick on target.

Some strong penalty shouts followed from the home crowd before a scary moment from Ciaron Brown saw the centre back put the ball onto the top of his own crossbar.

Two inspired substitutes sparked Oxford into life, O’Donkor finding the bottom right corner after a clever short ball from Brannagan at a set piece.

Reading’s Jacob Brown struck the crossbar in response before the Yellows captain forced another save with a second thumping free kick.

The U’s then found their second, O’Donkor heading a deep Brannagan corner square to Missanga who swivelling and flicked the ball into the net.

Oxford now comfortable, they remained safe with the ball but with freedom to push for a third but had to settle for two, seeing out a big three points against their rivals from Berkshire.

Yellows: Eastwood, Kioso (Spencer 80), Helik (Long 67), Brown, Currie, Brannagan, Andrews, Goodrham (O’Donkor 68), Emakhu (Missanga 64), Harris (Sibley 79), Dembele

Royals: Pereira, Godwin-Malife, Dorsett, Rinomhota (Savage 84), Roberts, Marriott (Brown 70), Wing, Kyerewaa (Williams 80), O’Connor, Lisbie, Stokes (Reid 70)

Bookings: Kioso, Sibley; Stokes, O’Connor, Lisbie

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