We were hanging on, admits Coppell, as Kitson class tells

Just when the Berkshire club needed someone to lift them out of the doldrums, the lanky former shelf-stacker matched his bold words with a matchwinning performance that brought some smiles back to the Madejski Stadium.

James Harper's last-minute goal ended a run of three successive defeats to take Reading out of the bottom three and, even though manager Steve Coppell admitted his side were unconvincing, the result will give his team some belief that they can overcome second season syndrome.

Kitson was the catalyst, scoring one goal and setting up the winner with an astute reverse pass that even surprised Coppell.

"When he got the ball I had visions of the rigging rising or someone in Row F ducking," said Coppell. "But he's a clever player. He gives us something different and although he has more stature than the others he's also quick-footed and deceptive."

Having left an angry Leroy Lita out of the squad, Coppell was delighted that his selection brought a "massive" result. Yet he knows how fortunate he was. He added: "It was desperately important to win and there is no use hiding it. I said beforehand that it would be psychologically important and it's not how you win a game, just the fact that you have won it — and we have won it."

After Kitson had given Reading a first-half lead, courtesy of Chris Kirkland's blunder in failing to hold Kevin Doyle's low shot, the home side had a double escape two minutes later.

When Jason Koumas produced a devastating run through the heart of the Reading defence, the £6 million Wales midfielder was halted by Ivar Ingimarsson's foul, which rightly brought the Iceland defender a yellow card.

But after appearing to award a penalty, referee Keith Stroud consulted a linesman before deciding the infringement took place outside the area. Koumas's frustration increased as his free-kick smacked against the underside of the bar and was hooked to safety.

The former West Bromwich midfielder set up the equaliser five minutes after half-time, flighting a corner kick perfectly for Marcus Bent to powerfully head his first goal for Wigan.

The striker, on loan from Charlton, had two opportunities to put Wigan ahead, only to be denied by Michael Duberry's last-ditch tackle and then Marcus Hahnemann's save.

The Reading goalkeeper was lucky not to be sent off four minutes from time when he tripped Julius Aghahowa as the substitute ran clear. He was rescued by the Wigan forward's determination to stay on his feet with the goal gaping but Ingimarsson had raced back to shepherd him away.

Coppell confessed that his team were hanging on for a point but as the clock ticked down they made one last desperate attack which resulted in Kitson playing a superb pass to Harper, who had time and space to place his shot beyond Kirkland.

It was cruel on Wigan and as tempers rose in injury-time Hahnemann and Titus Bramble were cautioned as they tussled for the ball behind the goal.

Wigan manager Chris Hutchings said: "Last week against Fulham we didn't deserve anything and got a point. This week we had chances to win the game and didn't take them. That's football."

On the penalty that was taken away, Hutchings added: "That was a big decision and if he has got it right then all credit to him."

READING (4-4-2): Hahnemann; Murty, Duberry, Ingimarsson, Shorey; Rosenior (Convey 63min), Gunnarsson, Harper, Hunt; Doyle (Bikey 90), Kitson. Subs (not used): Fae, Long, Federici. Booked: Ingimarsson, Rosenior, Hahnemann.

WIGAN (4-4-2): Kirkland; Melchiot, Granqvist, Bramble, Kilbane; Scharner, Brown, Skoko, Koumas; Sibierski (Aghahowa 79), Bent. Subs (not used): Pollitt, Boyce, Olembe, Cotterill. Booked: Brown, Bramble.

Referee: K Stroud (Hampshire).