Goals from Mikael Forssell and Julian Gray led Birmingham City to a 2-1 home win over Championship leaders Reading in their FA Cup fourth round replay.
Forssell put the Premier League strugglers in front after 30 minutes when he took a pass from Jermaine Pennant and wriggled past two defenders. His first effort on goal was saved by Graham Stack but the Finland striker slotted home the rebound.
Reading, 10 points clear at the top of the Championship, went close to an equaliser a minute later when Steve Sidwell hit the post.
The visitors eventually got back on level terms six minutes into the second half. Irishman Stephen Hunt took advantage of indecision in the middle of the Birmingham defence to volley powerfully into the roof of the net.
Birmingham, third from bottom in the Premier League, secured a fifth round visit to second division Stoke City when Gray headed in a cross by Jiri Jarosik in the 67th minute.
In the night’s other game, two goals from Daniele Dichio allowed Preston come from behind to deny Crystal Palace.
