Nigel Adkins was among the first managers to wish Mark Lillis luck as Town’s caretaker manager, texting him well ahead of the Chesterfield clash.

Now the pair, who both have Scunthorpe United connections, will go head to head at Reading on Tuesday.

The Madejski Stadium was the destination as recently as March 29, when 17,649 saw a 1-1 draw, with both goals coming inside the first seven minutes.

Nahki Wells put Town ahead before Pavel Pogrebnyak levelled with a penalty.

The Royals, who this week signed ex-West Ham and QPR centre-back Anton Ferdinand, also had to make do with a draw in this season’s Championship opener at Wigan, who claimed a last-gasp leveller through James McArthur.

Adkins’ men, 3-1 Capital Pne Cup winners at home to Newport County, scored twice in six second-half minutes, through defenders Shaun Cummings and Sean Morrison, the ex-Town loan man, after trailing to Callum McManaman’s goal at the break.

The manager refused to be downbeat, insisting: “I’m looking at it in a totally positive manner. I thought our performance was very positive and very pleasing.

‘Away from home against a side expected to be up there, I thought we were the dominant team, especially in the second half.

“We created a phenomenal amount of chances, and we had so many things flashing across the box.

“I thought the spirit was there for all to see with a young side.

“The quality was excellent and we played some really good football.

“Simon Cox looked a class act when he came on.”

Cox, 27, is back at Reading, his first club, after being bought for £600,000 from Nottingham Forest this close-season.

The Republic of Ireland international has also had spells at Swindon and West Brom.

Reading have also taken Forest frontman Jamie Mackie on loan.

Ferdinand, 29, spent last season on loan at Turkish side Antalyaspor.

“I’ve got things to prove, to myself and everyone,” he said.

“A lot of people have written me off and doubted me because I’ve been away for a year, but I’m here to prove that I can offer a lot.”