LEROY LITA'S double earned Reading a place in the last 16 of the FA Cup for the first time in nine years as they gained revenge for last season's exit at the hands of Birmingham. Steve Coppell fielded a much-changed lineup but the clinical finishing of Lita, who has now scored 10 goals this season, killed off Steve Bruce's side.

Dave Kitson marked his first start since day one of the season with the opening goal for Reading, but City were left to rue a host of opportunities of their own with Cameron Jerome the main culprit.

Reading fielded only four of the side which beat Sheffield United last weekend but one of the replacements, Andre Bikey, sparkled at the heart of their defence. And the Royals needed only three minutes to go ahead through Kitson, who has been out for six months with a knee problem.

Seol Ki-Hyeon made a pacey run to the by-line and swept past want-away defender Matthew Upson before cutting a low ball back across the Birmingham box.

Kitson was the quickest to react and escaped the challenge of Martin Taylor before drilling a left-footed shot into the corner of the net.

Jerome squandered a golden chance to put the home side back on level terms when he found himself completely unmarked following a Sebastian Larsson free-kick. But the former Cardiff player failed to make a clean contact on his header when he looked certain to score and goalkeeper Adam Federici was able to block his attempt.

Birmingham were then made to pay for their lack of sharpness in front of goal when Lita doubled Reading's lead after 41 minutes. Bobby Convey's persistence paid off when he shrugged off the challenge of Damien Johnson on the left and his low cross picked out Lita at the near post who, despite the attention of Martin Taylor, was able to stab home.

Birmingham needed to strike quickly to give themselves a chance of getting back into the game and within a minute of the restart Taylor had given them a lifeline.

Jerome played the ball out to the former Blackburn player and his left-footed 20-yard drive curled past Federici.

Birmingham were now in the ascendancy and DJ Campbell just failed to convert a low cross from Jerome.

Federici then produced a fine save from a dipping Gary McSheffrey volley as City pressed for an equaliser.

Lita could have wrapped up victory for Reading but headed inches wide from Convey's cross. But he made no mistake on 81 minutes when he tucked away a pass from substitute Simon Cox.

Sebastian Larsson scored a consolation free-kick for Birmingham deep into injurytime, but it wasn't enough.