Reading were eliminated from the Carabao Cup after Lucas Boye’s last gasp equaliser meant the game had to be decided on penalties.
John Swift provided an outrageous assist for Boye who headed in for a dramatic 99th minute equaliser but the two players who combined for the Royals goal missed their subsequent penalties in the shootout, while Wolves converted all four of their spot kicks.
Jose Gomes’ side have now lost four consecutive games in all competitions having lost their last three Championship fixtures.
Reading had the first chance of the game five minutes in as Charlie Adam found Josh Barrett with a lovely pass before Lucas Boye raced on to meet a long ball and cut inside, but John Ruddy kept out his shot at the near post to divert it behind for a corner.
The Royals then had some defending to do as the Premier League outfit began to grow into the game but Joao Virginia collected Ruben Viangre’s cross comfortably.
Pedro Neto picked up the first caution of the match as he went down too easily for the referee’s liking under a challenge in the box from Omar Richards and was subsequently shown a yellow card for simulation.
Wolves took the lead in the 27th minute as they were gifted a goal by Reading keeper Joao Virginia. Bruno Jordao took a speculative shot from 25 yards out but as Virginia bent to collect the feeble effort, the ball bounced up off his left arm and spilled into the back of the net to give the hosts a cheap goal.
The Royals had a couple of half chances as the first half came to a close as Boye laid the ball off for Adam but the experienced midfielder blazed his effort over the bar, while Barrett floated a tame effort towards goal just before the half time whistle.
The visitors started brightly as they looked to find a way back into the cup tie as Yakou Meite created some space for a shot in the box but could only muster a tame effort which was gathered easily by Ruddy.
Jose Gomes switched up his side just before the hour mark as he opted to change both the personnel and formation, sacrificing centre back Tom McIntyre who was replaced by John Swift, while Ovie Ejaria replaced Adam.
Swift was given a yellow card having been on the pitch for just five minutes for a rash challenge on Neto.
Gomes then made another attacking change with 66 minutes on the clock as striker George Puscas came on in place of young defender Teddy Howe.
Reading then fashioned their best chance of the match as Bennett had to stay alert to claw Meite’s header off the line to keep Wolves in front.
The second half was played at a better tempo as the Royals enjoyed more possession but struggled to forge too many chances to find an equaliser.
With just five minutes of time remaining, there was a long delay in the match as Wolves midfielder Shabani fell to the ground in agony and was removed from the pitch on a stretcher.
Due to the long injury stoppage, nine minutes of extra-time ensued at the end of the 90 minutes and Reading found an equaliser in the final minute of time.
Swift delivered a superb cross with a rebona which was met by the leap of Lucas Boye who headed the ball past Ruddy into the top corner to salvage the tie and take the game to a penalty shootout.
Ruddy saved low to his left to keep out Swift’s penalty before Boye smashed his spot kick over the crossbar, while Wolves successfully converted all of their penalties to book their place in the fourth round.
Reading have a tricky task on their hands at the weekend as they travel away to second placed side Swansea City in the Championship as they look to end a run of four straight defeats.
Wolves: Ruddy, Vallejo, Bennett, Kilman, Doherty Jordao, Neves, Vinagre, Gibbs-White, Neto, Cutrone.
Subs: Sanderson, Patricio, Moutinho, Coady, Perry, Shabani, Cundle.
Reading: Virginia, Howe, McIntyre (Swift 56′), Miazga, Richards, Blackett, Adam (Ejaria 57′), Rinomhota, Barrett, Meite, Boye.
Subs: Walker, Baldock, Swift, Ejaria, Olise, Osho, Puscas.
Goals: Jordao 27′, Boye 90’+9
Reading pens: Puscas scored, Swift missed, Boye missed, Miazga scored
Wolves pens: Neves scored, Vallejo scored, Bennett scored, Vinagre scored.
