A SECOND-HALF come-back by a resilient Reading side gave them a vital 28-20 victory at fellow Southern Counties North relegation candidates Slough.

The hosts had earlier taken a 15-3 lead and looked to be heading for victory, but Reading pulled this back to 15-15 in the second half.

They then immediately conceded a try to be 20-15 down with 12 minutes remaining, but Reading finished the stronger and wing Nick Burch’s two penalties, one from 45 yards, and his conversion of Alex Dorliac’s late try, confirmed the win.

Reading’s other tries came from flanker Fraser Koefman, his 11th of the season, and young scrum-half Lewis Bowers, making his debut and scoring his first try on the day when Dorliac was making his 110th touchdown, scored in 197 matches.

Also crucial to the win was the 13 points from the boot of Burch, in particular the two penalties he kicked in the second half.

The first, in the 68th minute, came at a vital time when Reading had just conceded to go 20-15 down. His kick reduced the deficit to just two points and when he kicked another, eight minutes later, it gave his side the lead for the first time since the ninth minute.

This gave Reading confidence during the final few minutes and good attacking play brought Dorliac the try his barnstorming running deserved.

Reading started the game well and Burch was soon able to slot the first of his three penalties.

Slough came back well, keeping the ball in hand and running strongly at the Reading defence, gaining the initiative and crashing over for their first try through Ignacio Lopez.

A Max Miles penalty followed and then a converted try from George Wells gave them a 12-point lead they fully deserved.

To their credit Reading came back with a well-constructed move when the ball was moved left and then right through many pairs of hands for Koefman to touch down.

Slough continued to impress and looked to create gaps out wide, but they did not move the ball swiftly enough to the flanks and Reading defended comfortably. Slough also started to kick the ball away, when keeping the ball in hand had been what made them dangerous.

A slicing run by Luke Burns, backed up with a great burst from Dorliac then set up a debut try for Bowers and Burch’s conversion levelled the scores.

Within minutes Slough were back, running strongly against indifferent defence and a Craig Fullicks try gave the home side the lead once more.

However, Reading tightened up, encouraged by two successful Burch penalties and Dorliac’s late try settled the match in Reading’s favour.

Coach Ben Wills was pleased with the win, stating: “It was a dodgy first half, but much better in the second.

"Well done to Luigi (Lewis Bowers) on his debut, Dorliac and Burch.

"It was also good to see Grant Spears return from injury with a strong appearance from the bench, No. 8 Ed Dixon’s strong runs and fine off-loads and Burns’ expertise at both full-back and fly-half.