Supersub Paul Kitson went from villain to hero last night to give Albion's First Division survival hopes a massive lift.

The injury-plagued front man scored the decisive goal in a vital 2-1 victory at fourth-placed Reading within five minutes of replacing Graham Barrett.

Kitson's 77th minute header from a Richard Carpenter free-kick was his first goal for the club in a season decimated by a succession of injuries which have made fans sceptical about his commitment to the cause.

The former West Ham marksman, mobbed by his team-mates, refused to be interviewed afterwards, but star striker Bobby Zamora said: "I've heard a few fans giving him a bit of stick and it was nice for him to score.

"I think every single one of the lads was pleased for him."

Kitson's critical contribution justified the faith and patience placed in him by boss Steve Coppell.

"I have maintained right from day one that Paul Kitson would have a role to play," said Coppell.

"At times the medical staff have been exasperated with injury after injury, but if he comes in and contributes for the last five games as well then he can still play a massive part for us.

"There has been a different tempo to his training for the last week or so. He played almost 90 minutes in the Reserves in midweek and I just had a feeling about him.

"He gives us that Premiership quality. It was just his sharpness, that Premiership awareness, that got him in front of his marker from the free-kick."

Zamora, back from a hamstring injury and watched again by Spurs chief Glenn Hoddle, set up Paul Brooker's 16th minute opener with a quickly taken indirect free-kick inside the Reading box, awarded when keeper Marcus Hahnemann picked up a backpass.

"Bozzy seems to be on the same wavelength," said Zamora. "We did that against Nottingham Forest recently as well."

Coppell missed it as he was trying to relay instructions from the directors' box to his assistant Bob Booker on the touchline.

"We don't have high-tech communications, we use a mobile phone," Coppell quipped. "Bobby is a clever player. He knows what he is doing and sees situations very quickly."

A long range effort by sub Jamie Cureton came too late to rescue Reading. Albion are now three points ahead of Stoke and Grimsby from two matches more ahead of today's programme.

Hahnemann took the blame for Albion's opening goal but claimed referee Mark Cowburn had made a mistake.

"In my opinion the ball came off Adie Williams and then just flicked off Murty's toe," said Hahnemann. "I didn't think it was a back-pass. If I had then I wouldn't have picked it up.

"But I then made a mistake by simply throwing the ball away too close to my own goal and that enabled Brighton to take a free-kick."

Reading manager Alan Pardew felt his side were short-changed.

He said: "I thought it was a bang-on penalty when Nicky Forster was brought down by Kerry Mayo in the first half. Then I thought Adie Williams was pulled back in the second half."

Reading match report at thisisthealbion.co.uk