It was a gloomy night in more ways than one at the Rivermoor Stadium as Rangers went down by two goals to one in a spirited performance under what must be the dimmest floodlights in the league! It was made worse for Rangers when midfielder, Luke Dunstan, was sent off just before halftime. But despite this set-back, ten man Riz made a good fist of it and were the better team in the second half. In the first three minutes Alie Bangura raced through, his chip landing on the top of the net. Reading hit back and Rangers scrambled a dangerous ball away before Toib Adeyemi produced a good block. City used the long throw at every opportunity but with little affect. Rangers enjoyed a good spell with Kyle Matthews' shot blocked after being set up by Arel Amu. Soon after, a shot from Jeremiah Luwero seemed to hit a hand in the City area but Rangers' shouts for a penalty were waved away. Amu then headed over the City bar following a deep cross from Josh Chamberlain. In the 22nd minute Reading took the lead after a rare attack, an angled shot from Boakye creeping in at Connor Coulson's near post, despite the Rangers keeper getting his hand on it. Luwero should have equalised three minutes later, heading over from a great position whilst at the other end, a free header for City cleared the crossbar. On the half hour, Rangers' new left back, James Kosky, cut inside to shoot, forcing the City keeper to tip the ball over with a superb save. A spell of pressure for City saw a low strike just wide of the far post and shortly after, Coulson made a good save following a neat move by the home side. Luwero then blazed over from 14 yards as Rangers countered and in the 37th minute Amu equalised with an excellent individual goal. Picking the ball up several yards outside the City area he turned his man, rode a couple of strong challenges and slammed the ball into the bottom corner. Rangers' joy lasted only five minutes however, when a cross from their right hit an arm and the referee awarded a penalty. It was debatable, but City didn't care, scoring the penalty despite Coulson almost saving, the ball just creeping over the line. To add to the visitors woes, Dunstan received his marching orders three minutes later, when he appeared to lash out after being fouled. Half-time then followed with Rangers a little unlucky to be behind.

The second half belonged to Rangers for the best part, though the first five or six minutes saw the ball all too often hoofed from one end to the other. A City corner nine minutes after the restart evaded both defenders and attackers before the ten men of Rangers began to threaten. Joe Fitzgerald's throw found Amu, whose turn and shot was saved. Minutes later and a good move by Rangers ended with Bangura's shot deflected to safety by a desperate block. Shortly after, Fitzgerald raced into the City area where he appeared to be brought down; it looked a penalty, but again Rangers' protestations were waved away. A Risborough free kick was then half cleared, Matthews firing the loose ball just wide. A great chance fell to Bangura when Chamberlains clever flick bounced across the goal-mouth, but he failed to get the connection to force the ball over the line. Bangura was again through on goal with just the keeper to beat, latching onto Amu's flick, the winger firing just past the far post with the keeper stranded. With three minutes remaining, Kyrell Palmer set Bangura away again, with the City defence stranded. With the keeper in no mans land it just needed a dink into an empty net, but he delayed and allowed the keeper to make a good save. Bangura completed a miserable night in front of goal in the 45th minute when he took too long on the ball and was denied a shooting chance by a good block. When your luck is out it is strange how little things go against you. The City penalty was a soft one whilst maybe Rangers could have had at least one too? However, Rangers have conceded eight penalties in their last six games, is that a coincidence? Something for the management to mull over, no doubt. As for the red card, only Luke Dunstan knows why he got himself sent off. Nevertheless, it was as good a performance as I've seen from Rangers in a while. They were the better side for much of the game, particularly in the second half and could have won handsomely if they had put their chances away. They can take heart though for Saturday's game at home against Virginia Water. Kick off at the Kamtech Stadium is 3pm.

Rangers Man of the Match: Joe Fitzgerald. Joe started in the centre-back position and finished in midfield. He was his usual ebullient self, playing with grit and determination throughout, urging his team-mates on and showing by good example.