Reading weathered a literal storm and one thrown at them by play-off outfit Stevenage to pick up a gutsy 1-0 win at the Lamex Stadium, a second away win of the season.

The Royals missed two golden chances to score in the second half, but it was Vadiane Oliver's first-half own goal that won the spoils.

As the rain pummelled down in Hertfordshire, it was no surprise to be served up a less-than-impressive game- on the eye at least. With plenty of energy and tempo, it was the high-flying hosts who did most of the early work. Jake Forster-Caskey, son of former Royal Darren Caskey and stepson of striker Nicky Forster, had the first effort of the game inside 10 minutes, but David Button was able to claim the ball easily enough.

It was Aerial bombardment from the hosts, especially around the half hour mark, playing at a heavy tempo and saw the visitors looking to clear their lines at every attempt. Terence Vancooten tried his luck from range after Carl Piergianni’s header across goal was cleared, but the upright wasn’t even tested. Jamie Reid forced Amadou Mbengue into a strong block after he ghosted past Tyler Bindon and let rip, before the striker could only find the post shortly after when Forster-Caskey’s heavily deflected shot sat nicely for the striker.

The home crowd were incensed shortly before the break when they claimed handball in the box, with neither side enamoured with the officials for most of the evening. Steve Evans was even less impressed when Reading took a surprise lead in first-half stoppage when Oliver put into his own net from Mbengue’s long-throw.

Shooting toward their 900 travelling fans in the second half, Reading created a few excellent chances to kill the game off but failed to take them. Winning the ball on halfway, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan burst through and found himself in a three-versus-three. Feeding Sam Smith, the goal-starved striker went for glory but could only fizz his effort wide of the near post. The weather caused errors for both sides, and a defensive lapse nearly let Oliver atone for his earlier own goal, but he could only slice wide when clear on Button’s goal.

It should have been game over on 70 minutes when Smith was sent clear of goal and rounded the keeper. Waiting for the ball to drop before tucking into an empty net, Sweeney appeared from behind and managed to put a superb block in the way to prevent what would have surely been the deciding goal. As the rain hammered onto the turf, defenders were just looking to clear their lines at every opportunity in what proved a scrappy yet entertaining affair between sides at either end of the League One table.

Stevenage had enough strong penalty appeal waved away with just a few minutes left on the clock and lay siege on the Royals goal.

Holding firm, an almighty roar was let out and the players ran straight to the travelling fans to celebrate a hard-earned win and move back out of the relegation zone.