Royals fall to third straight defeat

Reading suffered their third consecutive defeat in the league as they lost to Hull 1-0 at the KC Stadium.

Amid Reading`s recent defensive woes, they brought new signing Kaspars Gorkss straight into the starting XI at the expense of Bongani Khumalo, while Andy Griffin returned from a hamstring problem.

It was a subdued start by two out-of-form teams but Reading had the first decent chance of the game as Jem Karacan threaded through to Hunt, only to mess up his shot and Basso to save easily.

Attacking intent was at a low during many points of the game but Hull themselves had a half chance as McLean almost put in a low cross before the ball was in the net, but a Jimmy Kebe header for disallowed for offside.

Aussie goalkeeper Adam Federici was then made to work as a swift counter attack by the Tigers led to an effort from Koren, which was palmed away well by Federici.

Hal Robson-Kanu went close with a 25-yard drive before Fryatt had the best chance of the game as a good cross came in from the right allowed Matty Fryatt to get to the ball ahead of Federici, but his header went over the bar.

The second half started at how the first ended, as Fryatt had a good chance as he wrong-footed Kaspars Gorkss but Federici was on hand to push his effort over the bar.

Both teams had seemed to have lost their attacking flair since the break but Brian McDermott`s side almost broke the deadlock as a Robson-Kanu cross caused problems with Hunt and McAnuff in the box but Basso dealt with Hunt`s improvisational effort.

However, the deadlock was broken on 73 minutes as young Manchester United loanee Robbie Brady beat Ian Harte and put in a cross that beat everyone including Federici, sailing into the back of the net to put the Tigers one up.

Reading then had a chance to equalise as substitute Simon Church`s smart backheel got deflected for a corner but the Royals did not have much in response after that, falling to their third straight loss while Hull got their first home win of the season.