Steve Cotterill's side notched up a third win in four games under their new boss thanks to Marcus Tudgay's 75th minute winner at the City Ground.
18,506 watched a solid display from the home side which moves them on to 17 points from their 15 games played.
"The goal was a fantastic finish - the first one was too and he was onside - so Marcus Tudgay should have been the scorer of two fantastic goals," said Cotterill after what he felt was a similar game to Saturday's against Hull City, only this time with the right outcome for home fans.
"The second was a great piece of skill against some great Reading defenders. It's a great touch with his right foot to let it run across him and then a great finish into the far corner."