Charlton Athletic returned to winning ways in the Championship after recording a fine 1-0 win at Reading on Saturday.

Igor Vetokele’s header six minutes before half-time at the Madejski Stadium took the Addicks eighth in the table, just a point outside the play-off places and five points off top-spot.

It was a first win in four for Bob Peeters' side, but it relied much on a resolute defensive display against a side which had won its last two home games, both 3-0.

Athletic’s leading scorer Vetokele nodded in the only goal from a Chris Solly cross to take him to eight goals for the season.

It had been a rare foray forward for the Addicks, with Glenn Murray heading over at the other end from a Stephen Kelly cross and Jordan Obita seeing a shot blocked.

Johan Berg Gudmundsson tested Royals keeper Adam Federici with a long-range drive shortly before the deadlock was broken but Reading should have gone in level at the break as an Obita corner was somehow headed wide by defender Michael Hector.

The hosts bossed much of the second-half too, though the Addicks defence, marshalled well by ex-Reading man Andre Bikey, held firm, with Stephen Henderson producing a low save to keep out a Murray drive, though he was fortunate a skidding Oliver Norwood shot came back off the post soon after.

Henderson ensured the points with a fine late save to deny Jamie Mackie after the striker had been freed by Murray, while George Tucudean spurned a good chance to seal it with a second on he break late-on, being foiled by a double-save from Federici.