READING failed to end their play-off hoodoo after a heartbreaking 4-3 penalty shoo-oit defeat to Huddersfield Town on penalties in the final.

Christopher Schindler netted the winning spot-kick to fire David Wagner’s Huddersfield into the Premier League after the clash ended 0-0 after 120 minutes.

As for Reading the curse of the play-offs struck again and they are yet to win promotion in six attempts stretching back to 1995.

At Wembley their destiny was in their own hands as they took a 3-2 lead in the penalty shoot-out, only for Liam Moore and Jordan Obita to miss their last two, allowing Aaron Mooy and Schindler to score theirs and send the Terriers up.

It was the most cruel way to finish an outstanding season for Jaap Stam and his players, many of whom collapsed to their knees at the final whistle.

But the Dutchman clearly has the makings of a strong squad that, with a few summer editions, could mount another challenge next season.

Stam picked the same 11 players who started in the semi final second leg, while Obita returned the bench after recovering from an ankle injury.

But Royals looked nervy from the off and were lucky to stay on level terms when Michael Hefele headed Mooy’s free-kick narrowly wide at the far post after Chris Gunter had fouled Isaiah Brown.

And Stam’s men were counting their lucky stars again with 10 minutes gone after Elias Kachunga’s effort fell kindly to Brown who somehow missed the target from a few yards out with the goal at his mercy.

Royals hit back a minute later as Lewis Grabban’s 25-yard curler just missed the target, with Terriers keeper Danny Ward worried.

But Reading were soon under the cosh again as Chris Loewe fired a free-kick wide after Joey van den Berg had scythed down Kachunga, earning himself a booking.

It was physical stuff from both sides as players refused to give an inch in the pressure cauldron.

And the stop-start nature appeared to help the Royals gain a foothold in the game while frustrating Huddersfield.

Stam’s men then saw a rare chance go begging 10 minutes before the break when Kermorgant won a free-kick 30 yards out, only for John Swift to blaze the ball miles wide of the target.

It was a scrappy and niggly first half, and Reading, cheered on by 38,000 fans, would have been the happier side to go in 0-0 at the break given the two early let-offs.

They found themselves on the back foot after the restart as Loewe fired straight down Al-Habsi’s throat.

But they responded immediately, Swift stinging Ward’s hands after a promising attack.

Yet clear-cut chances were at a premium as both defences remained on top.

And it took a superb sliding tackle from Terriers defender Schindler to nick the ball off Grabban’s toe in the six-yard box after Kermorgant had picked out his team-mate with a delicious cross.

However, Huddersfield continued to probe and almost broke the deadlock in the 76th minute, only for substitute Collin Quander to bundle the ball wide from a decent position from Mooy’s incisive pass.

Royals survived the scare and searched for a later winner, only for another superb Hefele challenge to deny Kermorgant in front of goal with 10 minutes to go.

They threatened again during time added on as referee Neil Swarbrick played a good advantage and Kermorgant sent Garath McCleary free down the left.

But when the ball arrived in the box Gunter couldn’t keep his header on target with only his Wales team-mate Ward to beat.

And even though Wells tried his luck from 30 yards with seconds to go, Al-Habsi saved easily as the match went to extra time and the tension went up another notch.

But again there was nothing to choose between the teams in what was now a battle of wills.

McCleary sliced an effort horribly wide from a long way out, but Royals winger should have done better with another opportunity as the first half of extra time drew to an end.

Gunter and Liam Kelly linked up down the right and McCleary found room 19 yards out, only to drag his effort wide when he should have hit the target.

However, Huddersfield blew an even better chance to nick it in the 116th minute when Quaner’s cross found Wells in space near the penalty spot, but the Terriers’ striker fluffed his chance and the ball bounced wide of Al-Habsi’s post.

Then seconds before 120 minutes were up Loewe swung a free-kick a foot wide of the back post and an inch too far in front of Martin Cranie.

When it went to penalties Reading had the early edge as Kermorgant, Williams and Kelly scored the first three, while Al-Habsi saved Hefele’s effort to put Stam’s men 3-2 up.

However, when Moore blazed skied his effort over the bar and Obita’s was saved by Ward, Mooy converted for the Terriers leaving it to Schindler to seal the deal by firing past Al-Habsi and send Huddersfield fans wild.