BURTON UPON TRENT, England (Interstat) — Reading opened its League One campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Burton Albion on Tuesday afternoon, overcoming an early deficit at Pirelli Stadium.

The match, played on March 17, 2026, saw the visiting Royals secure a winning start to the season, while the Brewers began with a home defeat.

Burton Albion struck first, taking the lead in the 25th minute. Midfielder George Evans found the net to give the home side an early advantage and put Reading under pressure.

The Royals responded before halftime. Substitute Kamari Doyle, introduced to alter the game’s momentum, leveled the score in the 33rd minute. Doyle’s goal shifted the dynamic, sending the teams into the break tied 1-1.

The second half developed into a tense affair, with both sides searching for a decisive goal. The breakthrough for Reading came late, in the 88th minute, when striker Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan scored to put the visitors ahead. The goal completed the turnaround and secured three points for Reading.

The match included disciplinary actions in the closing stages. Reading’s Lewis Wing, who provided an assist on Doyle’s equalizer, received a yellow card in the 77th minute. In second-half stoppage time, Burton Albion’s Jake Beesley was also booked.

The result defied the pregame projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had forecast a 1-1 draw. The organization’s ELO rating system, however, had given Reading a 60.9 percent probability of winning.

With the victory, Reading begins its League One season with a win and no losses. Burton Albion starts with a loss and no wins. The records across all competitions for both clubs are identical to their new league standings.

The game was a showcase for impactful substitutions. Reading’s Kamari Doyle not only scored the tying goal but was instrumental in the comeback. Teammate Lewis Wing, also brought off the bench, contributed an assist before his late booking. For Burton Albion, George Evans provided the early goal but it was not enough to secure a result.

The win gives Reading immediate momentum in the third-tier league, while Burton Albion will look to rebound from an opening-day setback at home.