Reading slumped to their fifth home defeat of the Championship season with a toothless display against fellow strugglers Queens Park Rangers at Madejski Stadium.
The Royals failed to register a meaningful effort until late in the second half, by which time they were already 1-0 down thanks to Toni Leistner’s goal for the visitors.
Yakou Meite twice went close to equalising, including hitting the post from inside the box, but Reading could not find the net as they preserved their unwanted record of accumulating the fewest points at home of any side in the division this season.
Defeat also keeps Paul Clement’s men 20th in the Championship with just nine points from 11 matches.
Clement initially made two changes to his side from the weekend 2-2 draw at Brentford with Sone Aluko and Liam Kelly preferred to Meite and John Swift. However, an injury in the warm-up to top scorer Jon Dadi Bodvarsson meant Meite returned to the starting line-up with Danny Loader filling the vacant spot on the bench.
QPR almost took an instant lead with Eberechi Eze skipped beyond two challenges and into the box, but Tiago Ilori got across to make a vital sliding challenge.
The visitors threatened again during a quiet opening when a fine cross from Jake Bidwell was met by the head of Jordan Cousins in the centre of the box, but he nodded just over the crossbar.
A good block from Liam Moore denied Nahki Wells midway through the half before Reading finally had a shot, but Kelly’s effort deflected kindly for Walker.
QPR were on top, popping the ball around nicely and forcing the Royals back and they carved out the biggest opening of the half on 39 minutes when Eze broke away and teed up Wells, but his shot was too close to Sam Walker.
Despite the lacklustre first half, Clement made no changes at the break and Reading had a penalty shout turned down 10 minutes after the restart with Meite booked for simulation after going shoulder to shoulder with Leistner.
QPR soon came forwards again with Walker called into a smart low save to deny Cousins’ goalbound effort. But from the resulting corner, the deadlock was broken as the ball fell kindly for Leistner to lash home via a deflection.
Clement instantly introduced Sims and Swift from the bench and the Royals were soon on the attack again with Ezatolahi going down in the box, but again referee Andy Davies opting for a yellow card for simulation instead of a penalty.
Reading could sense an equaliser and began to threaten with Mo Barrow doing well to pick out Meite in the box and the forward held off his man before firing against the base of the post.
The Ivorian was soon back in the thick of the action, rising highest to meet a cross from the right but his header flashed just wide with goalkeeper Lumley scrambling.
Clement made one final change to bring on Marc McNulty to join the attack for the final 10 minutes and the Royals did threaten with Andy Yiadom cutting into the box but seeing his shot blocked.
Swift was then given a final opportunity with a long-range free-kick in stoppage time, but he fired straight into the hands of Lumley.
Reading go to high-flying West Bromwich Albion on Saturday (3pm).
READING: Walker; Gunter, Ilori, Moore (c), Yiadom;
Ezatolahi (McNulty 79), Bacuna, Kelly (Swift 65); Aluko (Sims 65), Barrow,
Meite.
Subs not used: Mannone, Blackett, Rinomhota, Loader.
Yellow cards: Meite (55), Ezatolahi (68), Sims (70)
QPR: Lumley; Rangel, Leistner (c), Lynch, Bidwell; Luongo, Cameron; Cousins (Wszolek
82), Eze (Scowen 80), Freeman; Wells (Hemed 74).
Subs not used: Ingram, Hall, Osayi-Samuel, Smith.
Goal: Leistner (64)
Referee: Andy Davies
Attendance: 13,568 (inc. 1,400 away)
