Reading lost out to relegation battling Burton Albion as a stoppage time winner saw the Brewers win three points to cancel out the Royals’ second-half fightback.
Reading had produced two quickfire goals in the second-half to get level having been two goals down at the break, including a goal from former Royal Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, but that wasn’t enough to take a point.
The result leaves Reading in 10th place in the League One table on 41 points from 27 games having lost their last three league outings.
Forward Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan returned to the starting eleven for the first time since October to provide some much needed attacking depth to the squad.
However, Reading got off to a terrible start when Rumarn Burrell put Alibon in front after 10 minutes by heading in from Jack Armer’s delivery.
Reading looked for a quick reply, but saw chances from Sam Smith and Harvey Knibbs go begging.
Just before the half hour mark, Burton doubled their advantage through a former Royal.
Reading’s slack defending from a set-piece allowed Bodvarsson to sneak in and score, the goal stood despite it looking as if he had stayed offside.
With a mountain to climb in the second-half, Reading did come agonisingly close to dragging themselves back into the contest when Chem Campbell hit the bar.
However, they could count themselves fortunate not to be further behind as Tyler Bindon made a crucial block before another inviting ball went across the face of goal without a Burton shirt there for a tap in.
However, the Royals fought back in brilliant style with quickfire goals to bring themselves level.
Michael Craig got Reading back in the game with his 69th minute strike before Sam Smith brought the Royals level just minutes later.
But there was more heartache to come as Burton snatched a winner in stoppage time through Burrell which meant that Reading were defeated for the fourth match in a row in all competitions.
Burton Albion: Crocombe, Vancooten, Sweeney, Armer, Godwin-Malife, Webster, McKiernan, Chauke, Dodgson, Burrell, Bodvarsson
Subs: Bennett, Bodin, Delap, Isted, Kalinauskas, Orsi, Williams
Reading: Periera, Craig, Dean, Bindon, Garcia, Savage, Wing, Knibbs, Campbell, Ehibhatiomhan, Smith
Subs: Button, Abrefa, Camara, Holzman, Kanu, Rushesha, Wareham
Goals: Burrell 10’, 90+2′, Bodvarsson 29’, Craig 69’, Smith 71’
