READING suffered their second loss over the festive period as they went down 2-1 at home to Brentford.

The Royals started the game well with both Nick Blackman and Hal Robson-Kanu having chances.

The visiting Bees took the lead after 18 minutes as winger Ryan Woods ran at the home defence before unleashing a superb 25-yard strike.

Reading boss Brian McDermott made a change at half-time with Matej Vydra coming on and he so nearly equalised with a header from Stephen Quinn’s cross.

Soon after the same Reading player played a nice one-two with fellow sub Garath McCleary who scored to make 1-1 by the hour mark.

However, Brentford were not to be denied the win as teenager Sergi Canos scored from the edge of the area to make it 2-1 after 72 minutes.

Reading’s chances of a comeback were ended four minutes before time when Michael Hector was sent-off after he was shown a second yellow card for diving after being given one for dissent in the first half.

The loss saw Reading slip to 12th in the Championship and they will hope to bounce back on Saturday when they entertain lowly Bristol City at the Madejski Stadium.