Manchester United U18 enjoyed a 5-2 win at Reading.
United jumped above Reading and kept alive their hopes of winning the Premier League Merit Group One with a keenly contested, but ultimately convincing with at Hogwood Park on Saturday morning.
The Reds held sway with Callum Gribbin's goal at the break and went on to complete the job with a further four goals in a non-stop second spell.
Aidan Barlow also scored twice, along with Ethan Hamilton and Zach Dearnley.
Kieran McKenna's side were hoping to finish the season on a high note with three fixtures to go starting with this match against the Royals in deepest Berkshire followed by two home matches, at Altrincham's J Davidson Stadium, against Arsenal and Blackburn Rovers.