READING were hit for six by Birmingham City in the Championship at St Andrew’s as they lost 6-1.

The home side’s hero was Demarai Gray, as he hit a hat-trick in the first 45 minutes.

However, it was Paul Caddis who got the ball rolling after being set-up by Jonathan Ground in the fourth minute.

Soon after, Gray opened his account with a shot from the edge of the area, before Glenn Murray headed home for Reading.

The Royals did have a number of chances, but it was the ruthless Birmingham finishing which won the day.

Gray made it 3-1 with a nice solo run and completed his hat-trick with a neat finish from a David Davis pass.

Just a minute after the restart, Andrew Skinnie cut inside from the right and fired past Adam Federici.

David Cotterill's lovely free-kick on the hour mark completed the rout.

Under-fire Reading manager Nigel Adkins said: “It was close in terms of the game, but it was not in terms of the scoreline.”

The Royals next game is at home to Watford on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).