Reading 0-2 Fulham

Apr 13 2008

ROY HODGSON is praying his side will get a miracle to avoid the drop after winning their first away league game since 2006.

The Fulham boss saw Brian McBride and Erik Nevland seal victory but admitted it could be too late to save their top-flight status.

Hodgson said: "We would have a far better chance of staying up if there were eight or so games left.We have 12 points to fight for and this performance has given me hope we might get some miraculous escape."

Former USA hitman McBride bundled in a Simon Davies' cross to open before Nevland fired home an injury-time winner.

And it could have been a rout hadMcBride, Brede Hangeland and Jimmy Bullard not struck the woodwork in the second half.

Gutted Reading gaffer Steve Coppell said:

"Fulham deserved to win and I'm at a loss to explain why we played so badly.

"Not too many ofmyplayers have been in a relegation battle andwe looked nervous."