Striker Noel Hunt took his tally into double figures with a goal in each half as Reading recorded a 3-1 win over Coventry in the Championship.

Daniel Fox arced in a superb goal to give Chris Coleman's side a deserved lead but then deflected in a Noel Hunt header to equalise.

Kalifa Cisse then gave the hosts the lead before the break when he clinically drove home before Noel Hunt bundled in a second to kill off the game.

The Royals needed a win to keep pace with Wolves and Birmingham at the top of the Championship but were second best in the opening half hour before hitting back.

Steve Coppell's side lost their unbeaten home record to Southampton last time out and looked edgy as they were put under pressure by the visitors early on.

Coventry were playing the better football with the midfield trio of Jay Tabb, Michael Doyle and Guillaume Beuzelin dictating the tempo but for all their intricate passing it was a set-piece which broke the deadlock in the 26th minute.

Fox rescued a point for Coleman's side with a perfect deadball strike against Swansea last Tuesday and repeated the trick to put them ahead. Michael Duberry bundled Clinton Morrison to the floor 25 yards from goal and Fox casually sent a left-footed curler over the wall and right into the top corner of Marcus Hahnemann's net.

Another Fox free-kick was well dealt with before the former Walsall defender was unluckily involved in the 32nd-minute equaliser.

Liam Rosenior sent in a deep cross from the right and Noel Hunt's tame header hit Fox to loop over the stranded Keiren Westwood and bounce in.

Stephen Hunt then prodded wide when it looked easier to score before Cisse struck in the 37th minute.

Rosenior was again involved when he helped the ball down the line to Jimmy Kebe and the winger's cut back into the area was perfect for the arriving Cisse to side-foot past Westwood from the penalty spot.

The second period started slowly with neither side creating a chance until Noel Hunt was again the benefactor of some slack defending to grab his second in the 61st minute.

James Harper lofted a fine ball over the top for Stephen Hunt to run on to. The Republic of Ireland winger took a great first touch to put him in on goal but instead of shooting as Westwood came out he elected to try and pick out his brother in the middle.

Marcus Hall cut the pass out inside the six-yard box but criminally hesitated to allow Noel Hunt to tackle him and gratefully prod home his 10th of the season into the open net.

Kebe and Doyle then both had chances to extend the lead as the Royals' pace on the counter began to show but neither goalkeeper was called into further action as the hosts moved to within four points of second-placed Birmingham.