Stevenage defender Nathan Thompson was sent off for a second yellow card in the 22nd minute and Reading took advantage when Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan nodded home in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time.
Ehibhatiomhan, 20, tapped in his second goal - and fourth of the campaign - in the 57th minute to secure Reading's second successive victory.
However, Stevenage manager Steve Evans criticised ref Anthony Backhouse after the MATCH S sending off of READING v ST defender NaShots on t Shots off than Thompson early on in the game.
Stevenage had their opened league with season three successive wins but were rocked when Thompson received a second yellow, then red, for a late challenge on Harvey Knibbs.
They did respond positively, with home keeper David Button having to make fine saves to deny Aaron Pressley and Jordan Roberts.
Reading, deducted one point by the EFL on Wednesday for financial breaches last season, gradually regained control.
And they were rewarded when Ehibhatiomhan headed home firmly from a Charlie Savage corner.
Bu hikaye The Football League Paper dergisinin August 20, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Football League Paper dergisinin August 20, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
NOLAN BIDS TO GIVE THE COBBLERS A REBOOT
NEW Northampton boss Kevin Nolan says restoring shattered confidence is his first priority at Sixfields.
'INCREDIBLE” MAGPIES HIT DONS HARD
NOTTS County boss Stuart Maynard hailed an \"incredible\" display after his side won at MK Dons.
100-UP HERO COOKS VALE
ANDY Cook was saluted by both managers after the Bradford striker scored a goal-of-the season contender in the Bantams' victory over Port Vale.
SUPER STAGS HUNT DOWN SORRY POSH
NIGEL Clough saluted his rampant Stags as Mansfield Nuted blew Peterborough away at London Road.
FLETCHER SPOT ON TO DEFEAT POOL & LEAVE BRUCE FUMING
STEVE Bruce slammed referee Ruebyn Ricardo for awarding Wrexham a late penalty against his Blackpool side from which they produced the winner.
LAMPARD HAS ROO FEELING SO SKY BLUE
FRANK Lampard admitI ted he has great sympathy with what counterpart Wayne Rooney is going through at Plymouth after their first managerial clash ended with a thumping Coventry triumph.
THORUP DELIGHT AS CITY BOUNCE BACK
NORWICH head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup will be looking to make it a Christmas double when his side entertain QPR today.
BULLISH EDWARDS DEFENDS HATTERS
'We did deserve a point'
Cullen brace sets a mark for Luke
LUKE Williams hailed a near-perfect performance by his Swansea side against QPR and hopes they can repeat the feat versus Luton today.
WARNE: WIN WILL GIVE US A BOOST
PAUL Warne admits his Derby side's win over West Brom will give them a much-needed boost as they prepare to host table-topping Leeds United this evening.