READING'S hopes of sneaking into an automatic promotion place were dealt a bitter blow after the Royals crashed to a poor 3-0 defeat against league leaders Brighton and Hove Albion.

Jaap Stam’s men failed to find their rhythm on the south coast and found themselves a goal down when Sam Baldock held off Royals’ fit-again Paul McShane before crashing the ball into the back of the net.

A lacklusture start to the second half followed a ragged opening 45 minutes, but things could have been different for Reading had Danny Williams’ header not been cleared off of the line.

But a sharp counter attack immediately after from Brighton saw Jamie Murphy dink the ball over a helpless Ali Al-Habsi for the home side’s second of the afternoon.

More poor passing from Reading then saw the Royals gift a sideways ball straight to the hosts, who were sharp and alert as they broke down the pitch to pile misery on Jaap Stam’s men.

Reading faced their second promotion-chasing match within a week had been looking to bounce back from a disappointing 1-0 defeat away at Huddersfield FC earlier in the week.

Stam made three changes to his side, with skipper McShane recalled to the heart of the Royals’ defence.

Yann Kermorgant and George Evans also featured in the starting XI, with Grabban, Kelly and Obita dropping to the bench.

ADVERTISING inRead invented by Teads Royals were under pressure straight away when the home team won a corner with little more than a minute played, but Knockaert’s delivery was over-hit and simple for Reading’s defence to clear.

Albion won another set-piece minutes later when former Royals loanee Glen Murray’s cross was hacked away by Liam Moore. Knockaert’s second delivery was much better than his first but Shane Duffy’s could not quite force Al-Habsi into a save with his header.

Brighton skipper Bruno was presented a glorious opportunity to open the scoring when Knockaert fizzed a low ball across the face of Al-Habsi’s goal with 14 minutes played.

Fortunately for the Royals however, the veteran Spanish defender could not quite stretch far enough to tap the ball into the back of the net.

Some excellent movement from Danny Williams and a neat pass released Chris Gunter down the right channel with 20 minutes played. The Welshman forced his way into the penalty box before forcing a corner, which was wasted by the Royals.

Ali Al-Habsi gifted the ball straight to the fleet-footed Knockaert as Reading tried to play the ball out from the back. The Frenchman weaved and turned between two defenders but Liam Moore was on hand to deal with the danger.

The Royals were then handed a half-chance when Kermorgant nearly released Garath McCleary through on goal, but the pass was just over-hit and Stockdale was on hand to clear.

The hosts then went straight down the other end and it was so close to 1-0 when Baldock then jinked his way past McShane before curling a fabulous effort on goal, which cannoned back off of Al-Habsi’s far post after 28 minutes.

The Omani stopper then produce a fine stop when the lively Knockaert cut the ball onto his favoured left-boot before drilling a low shot at goal, which was tipped past the post for another Brighton corner.

Seconds later it was a gilt-edged chance for Reading’s Roy Beerens after he was found by a delicate pass by McCleary. The Dutchman took a touch before firing towards goal, forcing Stockdale into a smart save and earning a corner.

But Brighton hit Reading on the break and opened scoring with 35 minutes played. Baldock’s sensational first touch was followed up by a great display of strength to hold off Paul McShane before the forward crashed the ball into the roof of Al Habsi’s net.

McShane could have leveled for Stam’s men when Beerens’ chip cleverly found the on-rushing Royals skipper, but the Irishman’s header drifted harmlessly wide of Stockdale’s goal.

And despite enjoying nearly 70 per cent of the first-half possession, Stam’s men found themselves heading into half-time a goal down.

Reading fell under pressure straight away in similar fashion to the first-half as captain McShane’s sliced clearance clumsily gave away a corner.

Knockaert delivered another threatening ball into the Royals’ box but it was well dealt with by a resolute Royals’ defence.

Roy Beerens’ tricky feet gave him time and space to pick his spot, but the lively Dutchman scuffed his shot harmlessly wide of Stockdale’s goal after 52 minutes.

It sparked Reading into life and a neat delivery from the left was met well by Danny Williams in the air, only for the USA international’s effort to be cleared off of the line and out for a corner.

But Brighton doubled their lead following a mouth-watering counter attack as a result of Reading’s corner. Jamie Murphy charged towards Al-Habsi’s goal before his delicate chip rippled the back of the net for 2-0 after 56 minutes.

In truth Royals struggled to find their footing following the second goal and Brighton continued to sweep forward, keeping possession well.

Glen Murray then thought he had given Brighton a third but his celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.

Reading earned a well-positioned free-kick on 62 minutes, presenting a glorious opportunity to get themselves back into what was dubbed as crucial tie on the south coast. Substitute John Swift took the shot but it blocked by a solid Brighton wall.

The Royals continued to struggle and rarely ventured into the Brighton box. Stam threw on young midfielder Liam Kelly and loan striker Lewis Grabban in a hope to force a comeback mid-way through the second-half.

The Bournemouth loanee was straight into action as he charged towards the Brighton defence before former Royals midfielder Steve Sidwell was forced to concede a free-kick in another dangerous position.

Kermorgant’s effort was blocked by the wall and the rebound fell to wingback Gunter, who ignored options in the box and blazed the ball well wide of Stockdale’s post.

Chris Hughton’s men continued to hold firm and Reading struggled to break down the home side as the clock ticked down.

Knockaert’s fine display was topped off with a goal as Liam Kelly’s sloppy sideways ball was easily picked out by the onrushing Seagulls’ midfield.

Brighton drove forward with another dangerous counter-attack and the winger made no mistake as he blasted the ball past Al-Habsi for 3-0, firing his team back to the top of the Sky Bet Championship.

Reading continued to struggle against a dominant Brighton as they fell to their second defeat in a row on a miserable evening.

The Royals will now enjoy a full week's worth of training before they welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers at Madejski Stadium next Saturday.