TEN-man Reading FC Under 23s failed to secure a place in the Checkatrade Trophy quarter finals after a 4-2 defeat at Yeovil Town last night.

Royals faced an uphill battle at Huish Park from the moment Sandro Wieser received a straight red for an ugly challenge on Alex Lawless with 18 minutes gone.

The home side soon made their numerical advantage count when goals from Otis Khan and Francois Zoko put them 2-0 up.

Reading refused to lie down and Andrija Novakovick gave them a lifeline when he pulled one back just before the interval.

However, the Glovers ended hopes of a comeback when Omar Sowunmi netted midway through the second half before a Jake Sheppard own goal put them 4-1 up.

Josh Barrett did grab a second for the Royals with a late penalty after Danny Loader, but it was too little to late as the hosts booked their place in the last eight.

Reading Academy manager Lee Heron said: “We’re disappointed to go out at this stage .

“It was always going to be a difficult game and it was made more difficult if you go down to 10 men early on with a very young side.

“But the bigger picture is that there have been a lot of experiences from it.”

Herron also suggested the decision to send off Liechtenstein midfielder Wieser was a harsh one.

“I haven’t had a chance to watch the red card back, but in real-time it didn’t look like a red if I’m honest,” argued Herron.

“Of course, at that point it becomes more difficult. For some of the boys, that was their first experience of playing with 10 men in a competition against league players.

“But it has been a great opportunity for us to be involved in this competition and it’s served us really well.

“We’ve learned a lot from it, we’ll go away and reflect.”

Reading: S.Moore, Sheppard, Medford-Smith, Hyam (c), Gravenberch (Griffin 62), Wieser, Rinomhota, Frost, Barrett, Novakovich (Smith 75), Cardwell (Loader 72). Subs not used: Southwood, Howe, Bennett, East.

Att: 1,081 (Reading 88).

  • READING U23s defeated Southampton 4-2 at Hogwood Park in Premier League 2 last week thanks to an Andrija Novakovich brace plus goals from Joseph Mendes and Rob Dickie. Ryan Seager and Ollie Cook replied for Saints.