Football: TAPP TURNS IT ON AS ROYALS ROCK

READING boss Alan Pardew cannot offer any tips to the England cricket team after he failed to guide his side into the Super Six category.

While Nasser Hussain's men take on Australia today for a place in the final stages of the World Cup, the Royals were bowled over by goals from Damien Francis and Alex Tapp which denied them half a dozen straight wins.

Reading controlled much of the game at Selhurst Park, but they looked stumped in the final third despite 15 goals from five previous wins.

They were punished after 31 minutes when Francis surged into the box and slotted the ball past Marcus Hahnemann.

Defender Nicky Shorey was also forced to clear off the line as Mark Williams powered a header towards the top corner.

The Dons continued to frustrate their opponents with Davis making fine saves after long-range efforts from Harper and Andrew Hughes.

Tapp delivered the final blow with just five minutes remaining, when he drilled in from the edge of the area.

MAN OF THE MATCH DAMIEN FRANCIS

Was not the most skillful player on the pitch, but had the important cutting edge to break the deadlock.

WIMBLEDON: Davis 7, Hawkins 7, Williams 7, Andersen 7, Volz 6, Reo- Coker 6, Morgan 7 (Tapp 6), Francis 8, Ainsworth 7, Shipperley 7, Gray 7.

READING: Hahnemann 6, Murty 7, Williams 7, Brown 7 (Mackie 6), Shorey 7, Sidwell 7, Chadwick 7 (Henderson 6), Harper 7, Hughes 7, Salako 7, Forster 6.

MANAGER RATINGS: Murdoch 7; Pardew 6.

REFEREE: T Parkes 6.

Copyright 2003 MGN LTD
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.