Reading duo dent Watford hopes

Shittu's goal on the hour mark was a controversial one as Reading believed there had been a foul on Ivar Ingimarsson, before the fit-again King wrapped up only Watford's second away win in the Barclays Premiership this season with a close-range header - his first goal since October.

For most of the match, Reading had dominated, but Dave Kitson hit the bar with a first-half header and goalkeeper Ben Foster gave an excellent display to thwart Steve Coppell's team.

Watford were grateful for Foster's sharpness in the 17th minute, when the recently-capped England international raced out of his goal to claim the ball at the feet of Leroy Lita, who had been released by Steve Sidwell's through-ball.

Reading went close in the 28th minute when Greg Halford picked up the ball on the right and beat two players before slipping the ball into the penalty area, where Foster was again quicker than Lita or Dave Kitson to the ball.

Four minutes later Kitson drifted away from the marking of Shittu to meet Shorey's left-wing cross with a looping header which beat Foster but hit the top of the bar.

At the other end, Marcus Hahnemann was forced into his first save, holding onto Lee Williamson's follow-up from eight yards after Tommy Smith's goalbound volley had struck his team-mate Darius Henderson.

To the surprise of virtually everyone at Madejski Stadium, Watford took the lead on the hour mark. When Williamson swung over the free-kick, Ivar Ingimarsson appeared to be blocked by Henderson as he tried to run out of the penalty area to catch King and Shittu offside.

With Ingimarsson stranded, the Watford pair were in a legal position and Shittu had the simple task of stroking the past Hahnemann to put his team in front.

Five minutes from time King made the game safe for his team with a close-range header after Hahnemann had failed to catch Smith's cross from the left.