Reading FC concluded their League One away campaign with a defeat against relegation battling Burton Albion.
A slow start saw the Royals concede twice in the opening 11 minutes before a superb Lewis Wing free-kick got Ruben Selles’ side back into the contest.
Bobby Kamwa’s overhead kick made it 3-1 before Sam Smith’s penalty reduced the deficit in the second-half, but Burton held on to take the points.
There were two changes to the Reading side that secured League One safety least week at Barnsley as Jeriel Dorsett and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan replaced Clinton Mola and Paul Mukairu in the starting eleven.
Up against the side who came into the game just two points above the drop zone, it was the hosts who came out with more intent, reflecting their desperate need for points.
Burton looked the more motivated side and made that count within the opening five minutes when an initial air kick might have seen an opportunity missed, but Mason Bennet then slammed the ball past Joel Pereira.
The sloppy start from the Royals continued and the Brewers were two to the good in the 11th minute when Mustapha Carayol was allowed room to shoot from the edge of the box and bent an effort past the keeper.
Reading could have been even further behind, much to the rage of manager Ruben Selles, but Pereira produced a vital stop to keep out Bobby Kamwa.
Sam Smith had a half sight of goal when he stuck a leg out to stab an effort towards goal that landed on the roof of the net.
Reading fans have been accustomed to seeing moments of individual brilliance from Lewis Wing throughout the season and they were treated to another spectacular strike which helped the Royals get back into the game.
With a free-kick within striking distance, Wing thumped the ball over the wall and into the corner, leaving goalkeeper Max Crocombe rooted to his line with no hope.
But another defensive calamity allowed Burton to restore their two goal cushion when the Royals failed to clear their lines and were punished when Kamwa connected with a stunning bicycle kick to make it 3-1.
Looking for a much improved display in the second-half, Reading started brightly when they carved out a chance for Ben Elliott who was unable to keep his shot down from the edge of the box.
Femi Azeez then tried his luck from outside the box and forced Crocombe to tip the ball over the top for a corner.
Reading’s stronger start paid off when Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan was taken down in the box and the visitors were awarded what was just their second penalty of the entire campaign.
Smith stepped up and converted into the bottom right corner to net his 14th League One goal of the season.
With 20 minutes of the contest left, Clinton Mola and Michael Craig came on in place of Harvey Knibbs and Kelvin Abrefa.
Another roll of the dice with time running out saw forward Jayden Wareham replace Elliott.
However, Reading were unable to find a leveller and had to settle for a defeat in their final way match of the 2023/24 campaign.
Reading head into the final day at home to Blackpool in 17th place on 50 points.
Burton Albion: Crocombe, Seddon, Hughes, Sweeney, Powell, Harper, Bennett, Moon, Helm Kamwa, Carayol
Subs: Blackman, Oshilaja, Ola-Adebomi, Gilligan, Scott, Hugill, Nsiala
Reading: Pereira, Abrefa, Bindon, Mbengue, Dorsett, Elliott, Wing, Knibbs, Ehibhatiomhan, Azeez, Smith
Subs: Button, Mola, Savage, Mukairu, Wareham, Craig, Rushesha
Goals: Bennett 5’, Carayol 11’, Wing 34’, Kamwa 42’, Smith 59’ (pen)
