DAVID BENTLEY fired a stunning winner seven minutes from time to snatch victory for Blackburn at the Madejski Stadium.

Reading had dominated the first half with James Harper securing a deserved interval lead with a cool finish from Stephen Hunt's defencesplitting through ball, but then Rovers took full control.

They equalised through Benni McCarthy and then Bentley grabbed all three points, finishing a run that started inside his own half with a breathtaking strike from the edge of the area.

Blackburn had become increasing frustrated with McCarthy having three earlier 'goals' disallowed for offside with only the second decision raising an eyebrow.

But the South African was awarded the fourth - which was also shrouded in suspicions of offside - to begin Rovers' comeback which former Arsenal midfielder Bentley completed.

Blackburn made a promising start with McCarthy collecting a long ball from James McEveley which he nearly lofted over Ivar Ingimarsson's head into space, but the Iceland defender was alert to the danger.

McCarthy still had the ball, however, and he fed Robbie Savage who spotted an unmarked Michael Gray five yards outside the area only for the defender to fire wide.

A nasty tackle by McEveley on Little resulted in a booking from referee Graham Poll and Nicky Shorey swung in a dangerous free-kick, but Savage headed to safety.

Blackburn had the ball in the back of the net in the 15th minute when Morten Gamst Pedersen's smart turn and shot drew a fine save from Marcus Hahnemann.

The USA goalkeeper could only parry into the path of McCarthy who made no mistake from close range, but he was clearly offside and the linesman's flag went up.

Kevin Doyle had a penalty appeal turned down by Poll following a clumsy challenge from Lucas Neill and then smashed inches wide with a piledriver.

Blackburn's goal was coming under increasing pressure with Brad Friedel making a tremendous double save from Seol Ki-Hyeon and then Harper.

The one-way traffic suggested a goal was coming and it arrived in the 41st minute courtesy of Harper.

Stephen Hunt did the initial damage with a terrific through ball that left Ooijer and Todd for dead and Harper raced in before picking out the bottom right-hand corner with a cool finish.

McCarthy had the ball in the net twice but on both occasions the linesman's flag was up. He could not be denied in the 63rd minute, however, when McCarthy latched onto Neill's cross and scored from close range.

Then in the 84th minute Bentley pounced on a mistake from sub John Oster - who had given the ball away with his first touch of the game - and dashed to the edge of the area. He pulled the trigger and left Hahnemann no chance with a stunning strike.