READING FC's penultimate pre-season game ended in defeat after an Ali Al-Habsi mistake gave Crawley Town victory.

Just 12 days before the start of the season, Steve Clarke's side struggled throughout to create any chances of note and were made to pay just 13 minutes from time when Conor Henderson's strike from 25 yards deceived Al-Habsi.

It was poor keeping from the 33-year-old and will give Clarke serious food for thought after an impressive display from Jonathan Bond against Swansea City.

Al-Habsi had been the frontrunner for this season's number one jersey - and he did make a string of good saves throughout - but he should've done better with Henderson's effort.

It was a game of few chances in the first half but Royals came the closest when Danny Williams fired against the crossbar in the 38th minute.

Orlando Sa - making his debut - was involved as he flicked Chris Gunter's cross into the path of Williams, but from a tight angle he could only drill the ball at the crossbar.

It was a low key start to life at Reading for Sa, who was replaced at the break by Simon Cox. With just one more pre-season friendly to come, it seems unlikely that Royals' £1million man will be ready for the first game of the season at Birmingham City.

The second half continued in a similar vein and it was the hosts that enjoyed the majority of chances, with Al-Habsi saving well from Gwion Edwards after he'd been sent through on goal.

In the end, it was Henderson's strike that was the difference between the sides as League Two Crawley inflicted the first defeat of pre-season on the Royals.

Aaron Tshibola and Stephen Quinn came close late on to rescuing a draw but their efforts were blocked as Crawley held on.