READING FC are still left waiting for their first league away win of 2023 after they were beaten at Cambridge United on Monday night.
The U’s scored the game winning goal in the 83rd minute through Fejiri Okenabirhie to take all three points.
The Royals last enjoyed a win away from home in the league before last season’s World Cup break when a stoppage time own goal gave them three points at Hull City.
Ruben Selles already has an away success under his belt this campaign when his young side thrashed Millwall 4-0 in the EFL Cup.
Selles made one switch from the defeat at Exeter City as midfielder Ben Elliott came into the side to make his first start for the club.
Meanwhile, top scorer Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan dropped to the bench and was joined by new signing Clinton Mola.
There was a familiar face in the Cambridge line-up which saw former Royals captain Michael Morrison at the back for the hosts.
It was almost a nightmare start for Reading who were reduced by goalkeeper David Button.
The hosts got down the left and Sullay Kaikai hung in a cross that was met by Gassan Ahadme who looked destined to convert from close range, but Button reacted quickly to claw the ball away to prevent the worst possible start.
Selles’ men started to grow into the contest and when Caylan Vickers turned swiftly in the box, his shot was deflected behind for a corner.
Harlee Dean had Reading’s first attempt on target when he connected with Sam Hutchinson’s floated free-kick that caused no trouble for Will Mannion to collect.
Dean picked up the first booking of the contest when he overran the ball and caught his opponent’s trailing leg.
After a scrappy opening half an hour, the game started to open up with chances at either end.
Mannion somehow kept the Royals out after they had three bites of the cherry.
Femi Azeez’ miscued shot fell into the path of Vickers at the back post and Mannion reacted speedily to smother his shot before he got in the way to block Elliott’s follow up.
Cambridge then had their best chance of the half when George Thomas met the ball at the back post and from a few yards out somehow contrived to flick his header into the side netting.
Set piece specialist Charlie Savage was unable to take advantage with a free-kick from a promising position after a galloping run forward from Amadou Mbengue to win the foul.
The final two chances of the half came for the home side as James Brophy accelerated rapidly into the box before shooting wide before Jack Lankester turned on the edge of the box and hit a wild shot off target.
Reading started the second-half by winning a couple of corners in quick succession, the second of which fell to the edge of the box for Hutchinson who slipped as he struck the ball which flew into the stands.
Paul Digby tested Button with a strike at the near post that was pushed behind from the keeper.
A little over 10 minutes into the second-half, Selles decided to make a double change which saw Ehibhatiomhan and Andy Yiadom replace Elliott and Carson.
Morrison went into the book after fouling Ehibhatiomhan before he delayed the restart.
Reading’s best chance of the half fell for Dean from a corner who met Savage’s delivery and headed inches over the top.
Hutchinson was next into the book for making a cynical foul to stop Brophy from breaking away on the counter.
Vickers’ alert work stole the ball high up the pitch and he teed up Ehibhatiomhan who tried to pick out the bottom corner as the ball sailed just wide via a deflection.
Thomas then went close for the U’s when he nicked the ball from Mbengue in the box and bent a shot wide of the target.
Another important piece of defending from Abbey kept the scores level as he got his frame in the way of Fejiri Okenabirhie’s shot.
Mola came on to make his debut for the final 10 minutes, while Michael Craig also came on in place of Savage and Mbengue.
A final Reading switch saw Azeez replaced by Tivonge Rushesha.
The U’s took the lead in the 83rd minute when Brophy’s low cross was slammed in from Okenabirhie.
Searching for a leveller, Andy Yiadom sent a teasing ball into the box with no one there to profit from it.
Knibbs had a holden chance to score deep into stoppage time against his former club, but saw his strike smack the underside of the crossbar and somehow stay out as Cambridge survived a late scare to take the win.
Following the international break, Reading host Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, September 16.
Cambridge United: Mannion, R Bennett, Morrison, L Bennett, Andrew, Digby, Thomas, Brophy, Lankester, Kaikai, Ahadme
Subs: Okenabirhie, Dunk, Holden, Rossi, Kachunga, Simper, Gordon
Reading: Button, Carson, Abbey, Abbey, Mbengue, Hutchinson, Savage,, Elliott, Knibbs, Vickers, Azeez
Subs: McIntyre, Ehibhatiomhan, Yiadom, Boyce-Clarke, Craig, Rushesha, Mola
Goals: Okenabirhie 83’
