Harvey Knibbs netted a last-gasp penalty as Reading boosted their League One play-off hopes with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Rotherham.

Leading marksman Knibbs gave the hosts a 1-0 half-time lead after scoring in the 24th minute.

Sam Nombe equalised from a penalty 12 minutes into the second period, but Knibbs grabbed the winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time to leave the Royals one point off the top six.

Reading went in front midway through the half when, in the same incident, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan struck a post and Jayden Wareham followed up to force a good stop from keeper Dillon Phillips but, as the ball ran loose, Knibbs tucked home from close range.

Lewis Wing almost doubled the lead when his angled attempt cannoned into Phillips’ far post and away to safety.

Yet Nombe should have levelled before the break, only to blaze over from a Joe Powell free-kick.

Rotherham equalised in the 57th minute when Wareham handled a shot from Louie Sibley and Nombe coolly despatched the spot-kick for his eighth goal of the campaign.

Reading manager Noel Hunt was booked near the end for venting his frustration on the touchline but his side were rewarded when former Royals defender Zak Jules fouled Knibbs in the area.

Knibbs calmly beat Phillips from the resultant penalty for his 13th goal of the season.