READING FC Under 23s defeated Sunderland 3-2 at Madejski Stadium to end their Premier League 2 Division One campaign on a positive note.

And there was another boost for the Royals as fit-again Republic of Ireland midfielder, Stephen Quinn, got 45 minutes under his belt on his first competitive start since September.

Quinn was named as an over-age player on Monday in an otherwise youthful Reading team.

But they failed to take their chances in the opening period as Andrija Novakovich and Yakou Meite went close before the former lobbed the ball over Black Cats keeper James Talbot but onto the roof of the net.

Talbot, though was soon stretchered off after colliding with Sunderland team-mate Tommy Beadline and was replaced by Michael Woud.

The visitors remained on the front foot as Novakovich won a corner from which Meite crashed a header against the woodwork.

And Meite was only a whisker away from breaking the deadlock with a 30-yard strike that flew just wide.

Royals though got the break they deserved six minutes into the second half.

Meite was involved again, this time forcing his way to the bye-line before turning the ball back across goal and in off Sunderland's George Brady.

Kuhl's men then doubled their lead moments later from the penalty spot when Rinomhota seized on a weak back-pass and was brought down by Woud as he rounded the visiting keeper.

Woud guessed the right way, but Josh Barrett's powerful strike still found its way into the corner of the net.

Chances continued to flow for the hosts as substitute Tyler Frost stung Woud's hands before Novakovich made it 3-0 with a smart finish after more poor defending from Sunderland.

Bracknell News:

Midfielder Stephen Quinn made his first competitive appearance since last September.

However, just when Reading looked like they were cruising, Black Cats hit back with two late goals to set up a nervy ending.

Josh Maja pulled one back in the 85th minute from Sunderland's first shot on target which flew through a crowd of bodies and past keeper George Legg.

Then Elliot Embleton made it 3-2 in injury-time with an unstoppable free-kick that gave Legg no chance.

But Legg did come to Reading's rescue moment later with a crucial save to deny Embleton an equaliser and secure the victory.

Royals finished one place off the bottom of the table with six wins and four draws from their 22 league fixtures.

It means they can still face the drop into Division Two should results elsewhere go against them.

However, Royals remain in the hunt for silverware if they can beat Division Two champions Swansea City in the Premier League Cup final at Liberty Stadium next Monday (7pm ko).

Reading U23: Legg, Watson, Richards, Dickie, Andresson, East, Rinomhota, Quinn (Frost HT), Barrett, Meite, Novakovich (Smith 83). Subs not used: Driscoll, Holmes, Holsgrove.