Soon-to-be new Reading owner, Rob Couhig, was given the perfect welcome gift by his players in a dominant 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic.

Charlie Savage and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan netted in each half to pick up a first win of the League One campaign, another promising display after last week's 1-1 draw at Birmingham City.

Couhig and his group of backers were welcomed warmly before the game, although an official announcement is not expected until next week.

If the stadium was already at fever pitch before the match, it took just seven minutes for the temperature to be cranked up even more as the Royals scored the first home goal of the season. Amadou Mbengue’s deep cross was controlled well by Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan before his cut back was swept home by Savage.

It could have been two-nil within three minutes as Lewis Wing’s corner caused havoc in the Latics box. Forcing Sam Tickle into a smart save, two quickfire efforts were bundled away from the goal by some strong last-ditch defending.

It took 28 minutes for Joel Pereira to be called into action, blocking Joe Hugill’s close-range effort. Sam Smith put an effort over the bar five minutes later after a deep cross from the left before some sloppy play from the visitors saw Reading pick the ball up on the edge of the box. Smith fed Mamadi Camara, but the youngster could only drag his shot wide of the upright. Ehibhatiomham, a thorn in Wigan’s side throughout, had the last play of the half as he cut in and found the roof of the net from 18 yards out.

Reading continued where they left off in the first half, dominating most of the second half, however, the game descended into a scrappy affair which suited the visitors much more. Crosses were flung into the box from both wings as Shaun Maloney’s side tried to level the match, but Pereira wasn’t tested much at all.

On the hour mark, Reading sealed the points when Elliott fed Smith in the box. The striker had his attempt smothered, but Ehibhatiomhan was following up to tap into an empty net. Jordan Jones forced Pereria into a diving save but it was about all the Portuguese stopper had to do in a niggly final period.

Cruising in the final 15 minutes, chances were at a premium but control was still kept as the Lancashire outfit looked for any scrap of halving the deficit.

Supporters exited into the early evening sunshine with a spring in their step, looking forward to brighter days ahead.

Hosting West Ham United Under-21s in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy on Tuesday, Couhig should be officially in charge by the time Ruben Selles takes his side to Wrexham next Saturday.