READING’S caretaker manager Martin Kuhl did not have a dream start to his spell in charge of the Royals, as they lost 1-0 at Preston New End in the Championship.

Reading’s under-21 boss Kuhl saw his side go down to a goal scored after 52 minutes from Joe Garner.

The home side started the game well and Adam Reach could have had a hat-trick, being denied by the woodwork and then by a couple of excellent saves from Jonathan Bond.

Seven minutes after the break, Garner was then bundled over in the penalty area by Paul McShane. The Preston player dusted himself down and then converted the spot kick which turned out to be the game winner.

The visitors pushed for an equaliser, but Nick Blackman fired over when through one-on-one and then Matej Vydra had a late goal bound effort saved by Jordan Pickford.

The loss saw Reading slip to 12th in the Championship table and they are now four points away from the play-offs.

On Wednesday night, the Royals have a tough away trip to third placed Hull City. The Yorkshire side beat Bolton 1-0 on Saturday.