Kevin Nolan struck twice to take his tally to 18 for the season and put Hughton's side nine points clear of second-placed West Brom with just three games left.

The Magpies also boast a superior goal difference and will confirm the title with a point at Plymouth next Monday.

Hughton said: "We are very close now and we can sew it up on Monday now.

"Whichever way it happens we'll be delighted.

"There are no celebrations tonight, it is business as normal but we have put ourselves in a great position.

"You could see why Reading have been on a great run but we went about the game the right way and got the goals at the right time.

"You saw what we are about. Reading were better than us for periods but we saw it out.

"The players battled it out for the full 97 minutes but we have won another game and they have earned that."

Hughton was full of praise for Nolan after his clinical brace gave the Magpies a 2-0 lead at the break.

Danny Simpson's comical own goal gave Reading hope late on but the visitors held on to move on to 95 points and one step closer to another target.

Hughton said: "One hundred points is a target for us. After we won promotion we set other targets and if we can win the title with 100 points then not many teams have done that down the years.

"Kevin has a composure about him and he has been a regular goalscorer throughout his career.

"He has played in a team this season that has created a lot of chances and there is no one better at getting in the box at the right times."

Reading boss Brian McDermott was proud of his players' efforts but conceded Newcastle's winning mentality had helped them to victory.

The Royals' season has been transformed since McDermott took the helm and with four games left they retain a theoretical chance of making the play-offs.

McDermott said: "I thought we had a go from minute one and I can't fault our effort.

"We played at a good tempo and played at pace but we didn't work their keeper enough.

"We have conceded two goals from nothing but we got one goal back and we had a real go.

"You can see the spirit at this club and what we have achieved over the last three of four months is really something.

"But Newcastle showed what it takes to win the league. They were under the cosh and still scored twice and then at the end they threw bodies in the way and ground out a win.

"Chris Hughton has galvanised the club and I'm very pleased for him.

"It's an outside chance of getting in the play-offs and all we can do is win our next four games.

"We were second bottom at the end of January so a top-10 finish would be a great achievement but it is important that we keep going right to the end and finish on a high."

Brynjar Gunnarsson caused a seven-minute delay after he required treatment to a head injury late on but McDermott confirmed the midfielder was fine and did not require hospital treatment.