Reading 1 Blackburn 2: David Bentley fired a stunning winner seven minutes from time to snatch victory for Blackburn at the Madejski Stadium.

Reading had dominated the first half with James Harper securing a deserved interval lead with a cool finish from Stephen Hunt's defence-splitting through ball, but then Rovers took full control.

They equalised through Benni McCarthy and then Bentley grabbed all three points, finishing a run that started from inside his own half with a breathtaking strike from the edge of the area.

Blackburn had become increasing frustrated with McCarthy having three earlier 'goals' disallowed for offside with only the second decision raising an eyebrow.

But the South African was awarded the fourth - which was also shrouded in suspicions of offside - to begin Rovers' comeback which former Arsenal midfielder Bentley completed.

Blackburn made a promising start with McCarthy collecting a long ball from James McEveley which he nearly lofted over Ivar Ingimarsson's head into space, but the Iceland defender was alert to the danger.

McCarthy still had the ball, however, and he fed Robbie Savage who spotted an unmarked Michael Gray five yards outside the area only for the veteran defender to fire well wide.

A nasty tackle by McEveley on Little resulted in a booking from referee Graham Poll and Nicky Shorey swung in a dangerous free-kick, but Savage headed to safety with a string of Reading players ready to pounce.

Blackburn had the ball in the back of the net in the 15th minute when Morten Gamst Pedersen's smart turn and shot drew a fine save from Marcus Hahnemann.

The USA goalkeeper could only parry into the path of McCarthy who made no mistake from close range, but he was clearly offside and the linesman's flag went up.

Kevin Doyle had a penalty appeal turned down by Poll following a clumsy challenge from Lucas Neill and then smashed inches wide with a piledriver.

Blackburn's goal was coming under increasing pressure with Brad Friedel making a tremendous double save from Seol Ki-Hyeon and then Harper.

Steve Sidwell showed tenacity to win a corner which Ingimarsson met to steer a shot straight into Andre Ooijer before flashing the rebound high over the bar.

Reading were denied by the post on the half-hour mark with Little's lethal free-kick finding Sidwell who directed his header at the woodwork with Friedel well beaten.

The Royals had more zip to their play - unsurprisingly given Blackburn's UEFA Cup exertions in midweek - and continued to control the match with Rovers rarely threatening.

The one-way traffic suggested a goal was coming and it arrived in the 41st minute courtesy of Harper.

Stephen Hunt did the initial damage with a terrific through ball that left Ooijer and Todd for dead and Harper raced in before picking out the bottom right-hand corner with a cool finish.

Reading poured forward in search of the second with Doyle failing to cut back when confronted with Friedel from the tightest of angles, and Sidwell then headed wide.

Barely a minute was on the clock when Blackburn thought they had equalised, with the offside flag coming to Reading's rescue once again.

Pedersen picked out McCarthy who showed composure to beat Hahnemann with a neat finish, but the South African striker was adjudged offside in a tight call from the official.

McCarthy escaped a booking for an outrageous dive in the 55th minute — he did make minor contact with Ibrahima Sonko but he delayed significantly before tumbling over in dramatic fashion.

Amazingly, McCarthy then had a third goal disallowed for offside as he slotted Savage's header past Hahnemann only for the flag to go up once again.

The South African could have few complaints as the linesman had got it right, but Blackburn's frustration was understandable given that they were dominating the second half.

They could not be denied in the 63rd minute, however, when McCarthy latched onto Neill's cross and steered home from close range.

There was a hint of offside about the goal but it was allowed to stand and McCarthy was then booked for rolling the ball at the linesman who had disallowed all three previous goals.

Blackburn then scored the winner through Bentley in the 84th minute.  Bentley pounced on a mistake from substitute John Oster — who had given the ball away with his first touch of the game — and dashed to the edge of the area.

He pulled the trigger and left Hahnemann no chance with a stunning strike that clinched victory for the visitors.