It was a case of deja vu on the road for Reading as they fell to another away defeat in the league as Charlton Athletic collected three points with a clinical second-half display.
Despite a promising first-half display which saw the Royals control much of the game, the Addicks punished Reading with goals from Chuks Aneke, Tyreece Campbell, Alfie May and Miles Leaburn.
Reading have now lost all seven of their away trips in League One which sees them drop down to 23rd position.
Reading went into the game looking to break their long standing dreadful away record, without a win on the road in the league for almost a whole year.
There was a packed out away end of more than 2,500 Royals fans who travelled to support their side despite their faltering form.
There were changes in the line-up as striker Sam Smith recovered from his injury issues to make his first start of the season and his first game for the club since rejoining in the summer.
Nesta Guinness-Walker was also handed a start at left-back after impressing in the EFL Trophy win over Swindon Town, while 20-year-old midfielder Michael Craig was given his first league start.
There were familiar faces among the Charlton side with three former Royals.
Reading academy graduates Michael Hector and Tennai Watson, as well as Terrell Thomas all started in the backline for the Addicks.
Reading won the first corner of the day through Harvey Knibbs which was defended adequately from the hosts who headed out Lewis Wing’s fourth minute set-piece.
Wing was first to test the gloves of Ashley Maynard-Brewer with a low strike that was palmed behind by the keeper. The resulting corner fell for Craig to strike who hit a wild volley into the stands.
The Royals’ promising start continued as some quick feet from Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan allowed him to spring away from two midfielders before Femi Azeez opted to shoot instead of finding the overlap of Tyler Bindon.
The visitors came forward again through Azeez who cut in from the right wing, but couldn’t pick out a grey shirt as his misplaced cross proved to be a potential chance wasted.
Corey Blackett-Taylor proved to be a bright start for Michael Appleton’s men and almost troubled Reading when he skipped into the area and saw his tame effort collected by David Button.
Wing had another sight of goal, this time when he unleashed a fierce volley that didn’t quite dip enough to find the top corner after taking a nick off a defender that wasn’t spotted by the officials.
Wing’s lively afternoon continued when his dipping strike landed just wide of the target.
The half came to a close without the scoreline being breached with it all left to play for in the second 45 minutes at the Valley.
A burst forward from Guinness-Walker started the second-half and Charlton captain George Dobson had to be alert to divert his cross behind for a corner with Knibbs lurking in the middle for a tap in.
Knibbs had a huge chance to put Reading in front from a few yards out only to glance his header wide from Guinness-Waker’s inswinging corner.
Despite Reaidng’s positive play, they found themselves behind when Chuks Aneke was on hand to nod in from close range after some excellent wing play from Blackett-Taylor.
Selles made a change just before the hour which saw Dom Ballard replace Smith up top.
An exceptional recovery tackle from Nelson Abbey managed to prevent a dangerous Charlton attack.
The Addicks did manage to double their lead when substitute hit a rocket into the top corner to leave Button no chance.
It could have been a third for Charlton when Miles Leaburn hit a thunderous effort that was brilliantly pushed over by Button.
The Addicks continued to terrorise Reading in a clinical spell as Alfie May grabbed a third for his side with a third assist of the day for Blackett-Taylor.
Leaburn added to the misery with a fourth goal in stoppage time.
The loss leaves Reading just one place and one point off the bottom of the table.
Selles’ side now have four consecutive home games on the horizon, three of which in the league with Fleetwood Town on Tuesday night up first.
Charlton: Maynard-Brewer, Watson, Hector, Jones, Thomas, Tedic, Watson, Dobson, Blackett-Taylor, May, Aneke
Subs: Ness, Pereira Camara, Fraser, Leaburn, Campbell, Asiimwe, Walker
Reading: Button, Bindon, Dean, Abbey, Guinness-Walker, Craig, Wing, Knibbs, Azeez, Ehibhatiomhan, Smith
Subs: Mola, Elliott, Savage, Ballard, Collins, Vickers, Carson
Goals: Aneke 53’, Campbell 68’, May 74’, Leaburn 90+4′
