READING slipped down to 16th in the Championship, after losing 3-0 to visiting Derby County on Saturday.

The home side started well, with Simon Cox’s header going just over the bar and Jamie Mackie also went close.

Derby took the lead after 18 minutes, as Chris Martin headed home from close range.

Reading’s Glenn Murray then hit the crossbar with a glancing header, from Oliver Norwood’s corner.

The visitors doubled their lead just before half-time thanks to Jordan Ibe.

After the break, Nick Blackman went close, before Martin sealed the win from close range with 11 minutes left.

Reading manager Nigel Adkins said: "It's all about what you do in both penalty areas. You've got to be ruthless in one and resilient in the other. For all the positive stuff going on for us, it's a bad scoreline.”

The Royals are back in action on Tuesday night when they travel to AFC Bournemouth (kick-off 7.45pm).