Leeds United manager Neil Redfearn praised his side's defensive qualities in their 2-0 SKy Bet Championship win over Reading at the Madejski Stadium.

The much-needed win took Leeds up to 17th place in the table, five points clear of the relegation zone.

"From one to 11, I thought we defended really well," Redfearn said. "We showed a real willingness and togetherness to not concede a goal.

"(Centre-backs) Giuseppe (Bellusci) and Sol (Bamba), in particular, were really good as a pair and they had great games for us. But, overall, we defended really well as an XI."

Redfearn is now confident that Leeds can reach 50 points, which should be enough to guarantee Championship safety.

"We're now 17th and it looks a lot healthier," he said. "The most important thing is that the win takes us to 35 points, which means you're nearer that 50-mark.

"It's also bunched a lot of clubs together. There's a lot of clubs who might have thought they were safe but might yet still get dragged into it."

Leeds had not been in the best of form, winning only four of the 15 games since Redfearn was appointed in November.

But they had marginally the better of a poor first half against a Reading side who were unbeaten in four matches in all competitions.

Lewis Cook released Steve Morison and his cross to the near post was eventually hacked to safety after a scramble in the home area.

Tommaso Bianchi tested Reading keeper Adam Federici with a low shot but did not last much longer. He had to be replaced after half an hour after sustaining a knee injury.

Reading barely threatened and were almost caught out just before half-time following an error by Oliver Norwood.

Cook galloped free and set up Morison, whose snapshot struck an upright and bounced clear.

Leeds went in front in the 63rd minute, when Luke Murphy tried a speculative effort from 35 yards.

Federici appeared unsighted or deceived by the flight of the ball, reacted late and could only help it into the net.

Reading replied when Nathaniel Chalobah created an opening for Danny Williams but Leeds keeper Marco Silvestri made a fine save.

Leeds secured the win in the final minute when Morison chipped a ball to the far post and the unmarked Sam Byram nipped in to nod home.

"It was a very disappointing night after having had such a good spell recently," Reading manager Steve Clarke said.

"It was not our best performance by a long way. It was not a great game, it was very scrappy, and I always felt that the first goal was going to be crucial.

"I'm not sure why we were so lacklustre. It was very strange and is difficult to work out. We just didn't fire tonight.

"But we'll not get too down. We'll put it to bed and move on."