Reading’s winless run extended to six matches after a 3-0 home defeat against title-chasing Arsenal.
The Royals fell behind in just the second minute when Vivienne Miedema notched her 16th league goal of the season, a new WSL record, before Kim Little’s late penalty ended the game as a contest.
And there was still time for a third goal for the Gunners when Katie McCabe smashed in from 22 yards deep into stoppage time.
Kelly Chambers’ side struggled to create too many clear cut openings with an ambitious Fara Williams volley the closest they came in a scrappy affair.
Reading made just one change from the 4-0 cup defeat against Chelsea last time out with Jo Potter replacing Lily Woodham at centre-back with Molly Bartrip again preferred to captain Kirsty Pearce. New signing Rakel Honnudottir was named among the substitutes alongside fellow January arrival Jade Bailey.
Arsenal, who were led by coach Aaron D’Antino with boss Joe Montemurro missing the trip through illness, won the reverse fixture 6-0 back in October and it took them under two minutes to get in front again at Adams Park.
Katrine Veje got in down the left and crossed for Miedema, who took her time to control the ball before lashing in from 12 yards with her shot flying in off Potter.
The hosts settled into the contest but could not test goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin. Their best hope appeared to be from set pieces and Reading were denied a strong penalty shout when Lauren Bruton was barged over by Miedema after Williams’ clipped free-kick into the box.
At the other end Grace Moloney had to be alert to save a Miedema header before moments later teenager Ava Kuyken’s attempted lob was headed away by Bartrip.
Remi Allen went close to levelling up in first-half stoppage time when her strike from outside the box flashed just wide as the Gunners took a slender lead into the break.
The visitors went close to doubling that tally soon after the restart when McCabe headed wide at the back post.
Reading then finally tested goalkeeper Peyraud-Magnin when Williams let fly from distance with her volley tipped onto the crossbar and behind.
Chances were few and far between for both sides before the Gunners killed off the contest with 10 minutes to play. Jade Moore was adjudged to have brought down substitute Danielle van de Donk in the box, allowing Little to step up from the penalty spot and send Moloney the wrong way.
Chambers turned to her bench to introduce Honnudottir for her debut and Bailey and the hosts did end strongly with Potter going close, but it was Arsenal who netted again when McCabe smashed a shot into the top corner in the dying embers of the contest.
The defeat leaves Reading fifth in the table, although they could be overtaken depending on results elsewhere this weekend.
The Royals host non-league Keynsham Town in the FA Cup in Woking next Sunday (2pm).
READING: Moloney; Harding, Bartrip, Potter (c), Pacheco; Furness, Moore (Honnudottir 85), Allen; Bruton, Williams; Chaplen (Bailey 88).
Subs not used: Kite, Jane, Pearce, Estcourt, Davison.
Yellow cards: Harding (60), Allen (76), Moore (80)
ARSENAL: Peyraud-Magnin, Williamson, Quinn, Mitchell, Bloodworth, McCabe, Little (c), Kuyken (van de Donk 52), Mead, Veje (Filis 90+4), Miedema.
Subs not used: van Veenendaal, Arnth, Grant, Dawbarn, Hazard.
Goals: Miedema (2), Little (pen) (80), McCabe (90+4)
Yellow cards: Mitchell (23), McCabe (37), Mead (74)
Referee: Lucy Oliver
Attendance: 1,269
