Reading dropped into the relegation zone with just one match of the season left after losing 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur at the Madejski Stadium.

Robbie Keane's goal was enough to defeat the Royals, who have now failed to score in each of their last six matches. They are now in 18th place on goal difference following Fulham's 2-0 win over Birmingham City.

Keane, who had been on his own barren run of six matches without a goal, ended that drought with his 23rd strike of the season. As Spurs broke in the 16th minute, the Irishman was fouled in midfield, but after referee Howard Webb waved play on Keane was back on his feet to follow Darren Bent's run with the ball.

Bent, in the team ahead of Dimitar Berbatov who was omitted from the squad entirely, slipped the ball through to Keane, whose first touch put him in front of Marcus Hahnemann and the Spurs captain poked a cool finish past the American goalkeeper.

The goal perfectly encapsulated the first-half, as Reading consistently failed to capitalise on their numerous set-pieces, allowing Spurs to mount quick, flowing breaks forward.

Bent and Malbranque both went close just before the goal, and Keane had a fine free-kick effort saved by Hahnemann.

Keane then released Malbranque one-on-one with Hahnemann, and the Frenchman lifted his effort over the keeper, but it was incorrectly ruled out for offside.

Reading's Leroy Lita was fighting a lone battle up front at times, and created two good opportunities for himself by turning Michael Dawson, only to fire off target on both occasions.

Tottenham were having things too much their own way considering they were playing a side fighting to stay out of the relegation zone, and they continued to stroll after the break. Keane fired a ball across goal that Malbranque sent into the side netting less than two minutes after the restart.

Minutes later Spurs keeper Radek Cerny was finally called into meaningful action when he punched away Dave Kitson's header.

Lita then set up Andre Bikey, but the midfielder's blast from the edge of the area deflected off of Didier Zokora as it was bound for the top corner.

Reading came to life as the final 20 minutes approached, perhaps spurred on by the news that Fulham were winning.

Bent hit the post from a Tottenham break with 15 minutes left, but after that it was all Reading, with Cerny making two excellent saves from Kitson at the near post and Liam Rosenior from distance in the closing stages.

The one ray of hope for the Royals is that they travel to Derby County on the last day of the season as they bid to extend their two-year tenure in the top flight.

Tony Mabert / Eurosport