Harvey Knibbs and Sam Smith both scored against their former club as Reading claimed a 3-1 win at Cambridge.

The attacking pair were both U’s players until 2023 and they did the damage, with Knibbs bagging a brace and Smith netting a magnificent late goal to seal the points.

Knibbs forced home Louie Holzman’s cross to open the scoring five minutes before half-time, before Josh Stokes hit a post for Cambridge immediately after the restart.

Dan Nlundulu struck the crossbar before Cambridge did equalise in the 48th minute when Danny Andrew’s corner was flicked on to Elias Kachunga to score at the back post.

Parity lasted only five minutes as Jubril Okedina cleared Smith’s header on the line but Charlie Savage’s follow-up was diverted in by Knibbs for his second.

The game was still finely poised until seven minutes from the end when Lewis Wing’s long ball found Smith running away from goal, only for the striker to hook a spectacular effort over his shoulder and beyond Jack Stevens from the edge of the box.