Royals win appeal over Pearce red card

Reading have won their appeal over defender Alex Pearce’s red card in Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat against Wednesday.

Pearce fouled Owls loan star Benik Afobe inside the box ten minutes into the weekend’s Championship clash at the Madjeski Stadium and Chris Maguire tucked away the penalty after the Royals man was sent for an early bath.

Afobe, on-loan from Arsenal, then turned goalscorer with Wednesday’s second as they made it eleven matches unbeaten in all competitions with victory over the ten-mnn hosts.

Referee Keith Hill deemed Afobe to be in a clear goalscoring opportunity at the time and gave Pearce his marching orders but the Royals have successfully appealed against the decision.

They appealed on Monday and will now have the defender available for their clash against QPR this weekend.