READING FC were dealt a humiliating defeat in what was a disastrous first-half against Rotherham United.
The Royals found themselves three goals down within 18 minutes in what was a dire display as goalkeeper Joe Lumley spilled a tame shot which encapsulated Reading’s start to the match.
Chiedozie Ogbene added a fourth on the stroke of half-time to effectively end the contest and left Reading playing for pride only in the second-half.
The second-half ended goalless but the damage had already been done.
Paul Ince was forced into one change from Reading’s win over Cardiff City last weekend as Ovie Ejaria missed out through injury.
He was replaced by new signing Mamadou Loum who was selected to make his Championship debut after he impressed during the week in Reading’s Carabao Cup tie against Stevenage.
Shane Long was again given the nod to start up front, while fellow goalscorer from last week, Tom Ince, started just in behind the striker.
The hosts came into the game having played just one league match, where they drew 1-1 with Swansea City, after their match away at Coventry City last weekend was postponed.
The Royals boasted a strong record against the Millers going in the contest with an unbeaten run of eight games, including five wins.
For the third consecutive game, Reading conceded in the opening 10 minutes as Roterham’s captain Richard Wood rose highest and headed the ball across the face of the box and past Joe Lumley to open the scoring.
Nesta Guiness-Walker showed his attacking threat when he burst down the left and won a corner. Tom Holmes met the set piece and got a clean connection on his header that was turned around the post by Viktor Johansson.
But it wasn’t long before the home team added a second goal. A long ball punted upfield saw Lumley hesitate in coming to claim the ball and he was punished as Connor Wahsington raced onto the pass and slammed the ball in via the crossbar with a thunderous finish.
Just minutes later, things went from bad to worse for the Royals in a calamitous start to the game.
They found themselves 3-0 down inside 18 minutes and it was a horrible error from Lumley. In what looked like a simple claim from Jamie Lindsay’s shot, the ball squirmed under the keeper’s body and trickled over the line.
Going into the drinks break on a scorching afternoon in Yorkshire, Reading needed a miracle to get back into the game as Lumley gave his apologies to the travelling supporters.
Reading settled into the game after their dreadful start and had a couple of half chances but were unable to reduce the deficit.
Heading into half-time, the dire situation got even worse for Ince’s men when they conceded a fourth as Ogbene capped off an outstanding half for the hosts.
Reading had a chance at goal when they were awarded a free-kick just outside the box, but Junior Hoilett’s effort went over the top.
Reading captain Andy Yiadom picked up the first booking of the day for committing a cynical foul.
Paul Warne’s team could have added a fifth when Georgie Kelly got onto the end of a knocked down header, but Tom McInrye got his body in the way.
Ince’s first change saw Mamadi Camara replace Jeff Hendrick for the final 15 minutes of the contest.
The ball dropped invitingly for substitute Camara to claw back a consolation goal after Long poked the ball to him, only for Rotherham to recover at the crucial moment.
The match came to a close after an uneventful second-half as Rotherham had taken their foot off the gas having already sealed the points by blowing Reading away in the opening 45.
Reading now have two consecutive home games at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. First they host Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday before they welcome Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Rotherham: Johansson, Harding, Barlaser, Wood (c), Wiles, Ogbene, Washington, Lindsay, Ferguson, Hall, Humphreys
Subs: Vickers, Bramall, Peltier, McCart, Rathbone, High, Kelly
Reading: Lumley, Guinness-Walker, Yiadom (c), McIntyre, Holmes, Hoilett, Fornah, Loum, Hendrick, Ince, Long
Subs: Bouzanis, Abrefa, Clarke, Holzman, Camara, Craig, Ehibhatiomhan
Goals: Wood 7’, Washington 15’, Lindsay 18’, Ogbene 45+2’
