Reading struggled to make an impression until Jay Tabb launched a solo run from midfield that took him to the edge of the penalty area, and Kelvin Davis, replacing the injured Paulo Gazzaniga in the Southampton goal, could only push the ball away. As Tabb went for the rebound, Jack Cork appeared to clip his heel but referee Jonathan Moss declined to award a penalty, and he made an even more eccentric decision at the other end, disallowing a header by Puncheon for an offence by Maya Yoshida, who actually appeared to have been pushed by Federici.
Injury was added to insult after 40 minutes when Adam Lallana was forced off with a knee injury, and it almost got worse for Saints on the stroke of half-time as Hal Robson-Kanu's header struck Davis's post.
But after 60 minutes Southampton got the goal their more enterprising play deserved as Lambert's pass sent Nathaniel Clyne away down the right. He played his pass into the path of Puncheon (below left), who hit a low shot beyond Federici.
Reading fans waited in vain for a spirited response, but although Adam Le Fondre headed wide from Shaun Cummings' cross, Clyne and substitute Guly Do Prado, twice, went closer.
Adkins hailed Puncheon, who made only four starts last season after falling out with Nicola Cortese, the chairman, and was loaned to Queens Park Rangers, but has now become a key component of the team.
"He had a perfectly good goal disallowed but the one he did score was exceptional," Adkins said. "He has worked ever so hard, improved all the time and all the plaudits he gets, he deserves.
"It shows how well people can do given the opportunity. He is reaping the rewards, as are the team."
