Reading moved seven points clear of the Women’s Super League relegation zone as Amy Turner’s first-half own goal gave them victory over Tottenham.
Turner nodded during a mix-up with Becky Spencer after the keeper deflected a long-range shot from Tia Primmer off the crossbar at Madesjki Stadium.
Despite being plagued by a flu outbreak, Reading controlled the game in the first half and would have extended their lead had Spencer not deflected captain Emma Harries’ volley against the bar.
Tottenham looked sharper after the break, only to find themselves beholden to Spencer again when she produced another inspired save to deny Sanne Troelsgaard Nielsen from close range.
Reading were visibly tired in the closing stages and had goalkeeper Jacqueline Burns to thank for thwarting Drew Spence and deflecting a shot from substitute Nikola Karczewska.
Kelly Chambers’ side hung on to move up one place to ninth with their first clean sheet and second victory of the campaign, while Tottenham remain seventh.
Striker Harries, a 20-year-old captain of the Reading side for the first time, was a persistent threat and had started celebrating the conversion of Primmer’s left-wing cross when Spencer nailed one of many first stops.
Spurs were considerably more dangerous after introducing Celin Bizet, Kerys Harrop and Chioma Ubogagu just before the 70th minute, but a third defeat in four WSL games puts them at risk of being dropped from the top six.
