Shaun Goater took two big steps towards earning his 'fans' favourite' status further south in England with his double strikes in the weekend's victory over Derby.

The Bermudian frontman bagged his 200th and 201st league goals of a glittering career as Reading moved a step closer to realising their play-off dreams with an impressive 3-1 victory.

Goater's performance, arguably the best for his new club since a ?500,000 summer move from City, would have earned him a place in the hearts of a few of the Royals' faithful.

And a tribute from skipper Adie Williams, a vest bearing the words "The Goat ? 200 ? Ledge" revealed when the popular striker headed home after just 60 seconds, will do much to endear the Islander to his new fans.

Goater will be the first to admit that he hasn't replicated his City form since the move, but Saturday's performance could prove to be a turning point for the striker who is still getting fully acquainted with his team-mates.

"The boys were watching Sky Sports News before the Forest game and that is where they saw that I was on 199 goals," Goater told last night.

"Before that game Adie (Williams, the club skipper) came up with the shirt and told me what he wanted to do. But when I didn't score in that game he decided to carry it over for the Derby game.

"With the two week break I had forgotten all about it and it was a good job he reminded me. We agreed that when I scored I would go over to him and he would lift up the shirt for the cameras, and it worked well when I did get that goal.

"I had to score really, because I didn't want the shirt hanging around.

"It was brilliant of him to do that, it just shows what sort of guy he is ? it was really cool."

And other players were quick to praise Goater, who seemed to step up his game after the two-week FA Cup break.

"Goats was brilliant," said strike partner Lloyd Owusu.

"He complemented everything I did and enjoyed playing with me so we'll see what happens in the near future with us up front."

And boss Steve Coppell, who has never been thought of as a massive Goater fan since his arrival at the club, was also keen to heap praise on the player, and the team's performance.

"He's a key player to us," said the former Manchester United hero.

"We have all sensed in training that there has been more of an edge to this game. We sensed something was coming and it was good to see him get two goals.

"The second was a good strike where he passed it into the back of the net. You need your big players and hopefully that's indicative of what's to come."

Reading's next fixture will see Goater return to Rotherham on Saturday, where his career really kicked off with the first 70 of his now 200 league goals.