READING were knocked out of the FA Cup as they lost 1-0 at Championship rivals Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday afternoon.

The home side had the better of the game and Keith Andrews forced a brilliant save out of Royals goalie Adam Federici and then the same player struck the bar.

The crossbar was then hit twice more in the same attack from Solomon March’s 20-yard shot and Ashley Baines’ header.

Brighton took the lead from Andrew Crofts after 32 minutes, as his shot took a huge deflection off Alex Pearce.

After the break, Pearce had his penalty appeals turned down after the ball appeared to hit an arm from his header.

Kemy Agustien’s forced another good save out of Federici, before Adam Le Fondre headed over.

Reading boss Nigel Adkins said: “I wanted a good cup run, but a deflected goal has done us today.”

The Royals will not look to get back in the Championship play-off shake-up, when they travel to Watford on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).