Reading’s play-off hopes were officially ended as Swansea City confirmed their place in the Championship top-six after a 2-2 stalemate at the Madejski Stadium.
The Swans missed some early chances in the match and were punished when Méïté converted John Swift’s cross.
But the Swans played their way back into the game and got their reward when Lowe levelled the game in the 67th minute.
Ayew then snatched the points with an 83rd minute goal and despite a late equaliser from Tomas Esteves, the Swans held on to confirm their top-six place at the expense of the Royals.
Veljko Paunović made two changes from the drab draw at Luton Town as Swift and Lucas João replaced Michael Olise and George Pușcaș in the starting eleven.
Swansea almost made the perfect start with less than a minute on the clock as Jamal Lowe swung a dangerous ball into the box but Ben Cabango couldn’t convert at the back post.
The visitors then created another opening when the ball dropped invitingly for Wayne Routledge in the box, but Reading captain Liam Moore was perfectly placed to head his shot over the bar.
Lowe then had a half chance on the volley just outside the box but floated his shot inches over the top of Rafael Cabral’s goal.
Both sides picked up a yellow within moments of each other as Marc Guehi was booked for a handball before Tom Holmes was cautioned for bringing down Liam Cullen on the wing.
Reading had their first sight of goal when John Swift linked up to find Lucas Joao who shrugged off his marker to work space for a shot but João missed the target as his low drive flew just wide.
The Royals grew into the half as Andy Yiadom provided a threat going forward on the right and they were rewarded with an opener in the 31st minute.
Swift used his vision to pick out an inch-perfect cross into Méïté at the far post and the Ivorian nodded the ball into the far corner past Freddie Woodman to give Reading the breakthrough.
João almost punished Swansea for some sloppy play at the back as he pounced on a loose ball, drove at goal, but had his effort stopped by Woodman.
Reading then had a shout for a penalty at the end of the half as Josh Laurent showed immense industry in the middle to win the ball and set up a counter. He found Méïté who drove into the box but he was thwarted by a good piece of defending from Kyle Naughton who slid in to win the ball.
Swansea searched for a leveler early in the second-half and almost snatched the ball from Laurent inside of the Reading box, but Rafael was able to collect to prevent a defensive mishap.
The away side then had a huge chance to equalise when Lowe was left free at the back post, and teammates queued up in the middle to convert, but he scuffed his cross that was cleared by Moore who was brilliantly placed to clear the danger.
Andy Rinomhota was almost able to squeeze the ball past Woodman at the far post when he got on to the end of Ejaria’s cross, but he found the side netting.
Paunović made a double switch in the 65th minute as Michael Olise and Alfa Semedo replaced Swift and Méïté.
Swansea found themselves on terms in the 67th minute as Lowe poached from close range.
Rafael got down quickly to make a smart stop from Jay Fulton but Lowe showed his attacking instinct to pounce on the loose ball and tucked the ball in on the rebound.
Reading had a penalty appeal when it appeared that João was wrestled to the ground in the box from a set-piece, but it was missed by the referee who waved away the protests.
Needing a winner to keep their play-off dreams still mathematically possible, the Royals pressed high and Paunovic made more changes as Pușcaș and Tomas Esteves replaced Ejaria and Yiadom.
But it was the away side who snatched a goal to go in front in the 83rd minute.
Substitute Ayew showed superb composure in the box as he was picked out in the middle from Jake Bidwell’s cutback and took a couple of touches to set himself before he lashed the ball into the net.
The Swans almost put the game beyond doubt in the 90th minute when Lowe burst into the box but struck the post with a powerful strike.
But Reading fought back and found an equaliser in stoppage time as Esteves stroked the ball into the bottom corner to give the Royals a glimmer of hope.
But Swansea held out to gin the point they needed to confirm their play-off place.
Reading play their final away game of the season next Saturday against already promoted Norwich City.
Reading: Rafael, Yiadom, Holmes, Moore (c), Richards, Rinomhota, Laurent, Ejaria, Swift, Méïté, João
Subs: Southwood, Esteves, Gibson, Tetek, Semedo, Olise, Aluko, Pușcaș, Baldock
Swansea City: Woodman, Naughton, Cabango, Guehi, Bidwell, Fulton, Grimes (c), Hourihane, Routledge, Lowe, Cullen
Subs: Hamer, Latibeaudiere, Bennett, Roberts, Smith, Dhanda, Cooper, Whittaker, Ayew
Goals: Méïté 30′, Lowe 67′, Ayew 83′, Esteves 90+3′
