READING'S final home game ended in major disappointment as they suffered a last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Preston North End at Madejski Stadium.

It was Royals' fifth loss in six Championship matches, and Preston's first win in Berkshire since 1982.

It looked as though Brian McDermott's men had snatched a point when Stephen Quinn equalised in the 86th minute after Jermaine Beckford had given the visitors a 56th minute lead.

But Royals switched off in the last minute and Preston applied the killer blow when Dan Johnson fired home to secure all three points.

In truth, it was no more than North End deserved. They were better all over the pitch for the majority of the match against lacklustre opposition, for whom the season can't end quickly enough.

The hosts were booed off at half time and the final whistle and only a sprinkling of fans stayed to clap the players on their traditional lap of honour, which took place in the driving rain.

McDermott made three changes to the side that drew 1-1 at QPR a week earlier which gave them their only points from a run of six, winless matches.

Both Paul McShane and Danny Williams returned from their three-match bans for their ugly bust-up at Middlesbrough.

Chris Gunter was also restored at left-back in place of Andrew Taylor, with Garath McCleary filling in at right-back.

McDermott's men threatened first when a shot from Deniss Rakels clipped a Preston leg and deflected over the bar following good work by Williams in the build-up.

And they had the ball in the Preston net in the 10th minute when Jake Cooper headed home from an Oliver Norwood free-kick. However, the linesman's flag was already raise for offside.

Preston hit back five minutes later when Calum Woods cut in off the right and drilled an angled drive towards the bottom corner, but Al Habsi saved well at the foot of his near post to deny the visitors.

It sparked a good spell for the visitors as Joe Garner nodded over from a free-kick with 19 minutes gone.

Then a minute later only a brilliant block by McShane prevented Jermaine Beckford from giving Preston the lead after Dan Johnson had nicely teed up his strike partner.

Johnson was also inches away with a 25-yard drive that had Al Habsi worried, the Royals keeper was equal to Paul Gallagher's effort.

Rakels offered brief respite when his volley smashed into Preston defender Bailey Wright with 27 minutes gone, but Preston wasted a gilt-edged chance to break the deadlock a minute later.

Cooper's slip on the halfway line gave Beckford an unchallenged route to goal. He delayed his shot and waited for Al Habsi to commit, but Royals' keeper stuck out a hand and grabbed the ball after Beckford went for a chip.

The visitors continued to threaten and Garner was only an inch away with an effort from the edge of the box.

Reading were struggling to find any rhythm. Their passing was poor and their defending was suspect.

They should have paid the price six minutes before the break, but Al Habsi made another excellent save to stop Johnson's shot from creeping in the corner.

It was dire stuff from Royals who were booed off at half time.

McDermott had little choice but to make a change so he threw on teenager Josh Barrett and took off Evans at half time.

The teenager, making only his second first-team appearance, quickly dragged his side baqck into the game with some quality passing that had been missing for most of the first half.

The 17-year-old picked out Rakels with a lovely thru-ball in the 50th minute, only for Chris Kirkland to block the striker's shot with his legs.

It was already much better from the Royals, but as soon they had gained a foothold in the game, they gifted Preston the lead with 56 minutes gone.

A mix-up in communication between Al Habsi and McShane allowed the alert Beckford to collect Johnson's pass and slot home to put the visitors in front.

The crowd grew more and more restless but Preston kept pressing and Garner fired directly at Al Habsi when given too much space.

Barrett then dragged an effort wide at the far post before a diving header from Yann Kermorgant missed the target from McCleary's deep cross.

But Royals still looked second best. When a fan in the east stand refused to give the ball back for a Preston throw-in, it was the longest they had kept possession all afternoon.

Barrett did go close from a difficult angle with 74 minutes gone, but seconds later Beckford wasted a better chance when his effort lacked the power to beat Al Habsi with Royals' defence all at sea.

Then almost out of nothing Reading managed to find an equaliser.

Quinn was left in too much time to take aim and drill a beautiful shot into the bottom corner from 25 yards, with Kirkland rooted to the spot.

At that stage Royals looked as though they could press for a surprise winner as Kermorgant went close again.

But they went to sleep with 90 minutes gone and Preston capitalised as Johnson kept his cool to slam home the winner.

By the time Reading players set off on their lap of honour after the final whistle, only a smattering of fans were left in their seats.

And as the players thanked them for their support, the heavens opened and everyone got a drenching.

That just about summed up the season for Royals, who end their campaign with a trip to Blackburn next weekend.