Reading FC fell 2-1 to Preston on Friday night in what was their final home game before the World Cup break.
After a lacklustre first-half, the Lilywhites went ahead early in the second 45 minutes through Ched Evans, who was on hand to head home a teasing Robbie Brady cross.
Substitute Lucas Joao got the home side back into the contest, converting from the spot after Andy Yiadom was adjudged to have been fouled on the byline.
But with the Royals in the ascendency, Preston delivered a sucker punch in the 79th minute. Evans fired home from the right to secure all three points for The Lilywhites.
Joe Lumley 5: Could not have done a lot with either of the goals. Did well to get down to his right to keep out a Johnson strike at the end of the first half.
Junior Hoilett 5: Was given the licence to get forward but was beaten by Brady too easily on occasion. Could have grabbed himself an assist, delivering a great cross into Joao, which the Angolan headed just over the bar.
Andy Yiadom 6: Won the penalty after getting past his man on the byline. Happy to put a foot in wherever required in what was a good showing from the skipper.
Tom Holmes 7: The vice captain has put together a series of strong performances. Had the measure of Evans and Jakobsen for large spells of the game.
Tom McIntyre 5: A mix-up with Lumley led to the corner from which Preston took the lead. Allowed Evans to overpower him in the build-up to the second goal. Did get forward well at times.
Baba Rahman 5: Was caught the wrong side of Potts on too many occasions. Accepted the invitation to bomb on in the first half, albeit with little end product.
Tom Ince 6: The driving force in Reading’s midfield once again. A fiercely struck effort from 20 yards could have secured his side a late point, but was just the wrong side of the post.
Mamadou Loum 4: His passing left a lot to be desired, with both long and short passes missing the mark. Allowed Johnson to get goalside too often and picked up his sixth booking of the season.
Jeff Hendrick 6: A so-so display from the midfielder who did put in a shift. Needed to offer more in the way of service into the front men.
Yakou Meite 5: A typically committed display from the Ivorian, but could not get a foothold in the game. Has started each of Reading’s last five games.
Andy Carroll 5: but did not offer the same aerial threat he has since his arrival. The Lilywhites often double-teamed him. Worked hard out of possession.
Shane Long 5: He and Joao offered a completely different complexion to that which Preston contained so easily in the first half.
Tyrese Fornah 7: Made a great case for a start at Watford in midweek. Brought more dynamism to the midfield both in and out of possession.
Lucas Joao 7: Converted his penalty with aplomb. Saw a header go just over the bar not long after his introduction on the hour mark. Also gave his all on the defensive side of play.
Nesta Guinness-Walker: N/A
Subs: Bouzanis, Ejaria, Mbengue
