Former Reading captain Graeme Murty came out on top 2-1 against Reading Under 21s, managed by former teammate Noel Hunt.
The captain of the record-breaking 2005/06 team took over at the Black Cats earlier in the year, and brought his side to Berkshire in the Premier League Cup.
A good chance to play injured players into fitness, the likes of Scott Dann, Femi Azeez and Nesta Guinness-Walker all featured at the SCL Stadium.
A bright spark throughout, Azeez had Reading's first effort as his shot flew over the bar from the edge of the box.
90+5' FULL TIME
— Reading FC Academy (@RFCAcademy) December 12, 2022
The referee blows the whistle for the last time with Noel Hunt's side falling just short in their quest for an equaliser.#RFCU21 #PLCup | 1-2 pic.twitter.com/nHfpaZMrKV
On top for most of the first half, the visitors took the lead before the half hour mark as Tom Scott fired home from a corner.
Kelvin Abrefa, another constant threat, whipped in dangerous crosses throughout but the ball wouldn't fall for the Royals.
Not long after the break the North-Easterns made it 2-0 as Harrison Sohna bend a free-kick past Coniah Boyce-Clarke.
Continuing to have most of the possession, it took until the final 20 minutes to get on the scoresheet.
Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan, who netted a first career goal for the first team in the Carabao Cup this season, fired home from the inside the box to half the defecit.
Despite huffing and puffing, the Mackems held firm to take the three points.
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