Royals arrived on the south coast on a six-match unbeaten streak on their travels including five victories.

But they met their match on the night as the Cherries chalked up a fifth straight win to boost their play-off hopes - and dent Reading’s in the process.

Nigel Adkins’ men were second best from almost the very first whistle and were arguably lucky to go in at the break only 3-0 down.

However, they will rue a golden opportunity missed to make it 1-1 when Royston Drenthe looked for glory and ignored Adam Le Fondre in front of a gaping net.

Bournemouth already led through Matt Ritchie’s 11th minute opener set up by the lively Lewis Grabban.

And moments after Drenthe’s mistake the hosts doubled their lead when Ritchie notched his second after Grabban robbed Kaspars Gorkss of possession.

Royals, in their defence, were forced to alter their plans before kick off when Danny Guthrie injured himself in the warm-up.

That meant Jordan Obita was pushed forward from left-back allowing Wayne Bridge to make his return after five months out from injury.

Sadly, the ring-rusty ex-England defender was outstripped by Simon Francis a minute before the break and the Cherries’ winger whipped a lovely cross to the back post where Yann Kermorgant headed in Bournemouth’s third.

The Cherries continued to threaten after the interval with Grabban going close on two occasions.

However, there was something for Reading’s 1,400-strong following to cheer when Robson-Kanu smashed a 25-yarder past Lee Camp in the 75th minute to raise hopes of a glorious comeback.

But it wasn’t to be and Adkins’ men ultimately paid the price for a woeful first half.

The only bonus for the Royals was the long-awaited comeback of Mikele Leigertwood, who played the last 30 minutes on his first appearance since April 2013.

Other than that, it was depressing night for the Royals who remain sixth in the table but saw their lead over their rivals cut from five points two following Brighton’s 4-1 win at Leicester and Ipswich’s 2-0 victory at Huddersfield along with Bournemouth’s success at Dean Court.

With five Championship fixtures remaining, Reading return to action on Monday night when they host promoted Leicester City at Madejski Stadium (8.07pm ko).

Reading have not won a home match since they hammered Blackpool 5-1 on January 28.

Reading: McCarthy: Gunter Pearce, Gorkss, Bridge (Kelly 60) - Drenthe (Blackman 74), Obita, McAnuff (c), Robson-Kanu - Le Fondre (Leigertwood 60), Pogrebnyak. Subs not used: Federici, Morrison, McCleary. Booked: Obita 83.

Bournemouth: Camp - Francis, Cook, Elphick, Harte - Ritchie (MacDonald 90), O’Kane, Surman, Pugh (Fraser 73) - Kermorgant, Grabban (Pitman 85). Subs not used: Allsop, Ward, Smith, Rantie. Booked: Fraser 81.

Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northants).

Attendance: 11,182 (Reading 1,390).

SEE THURSDAY’S READING CHRONICLE FOR REPORT & PICTURES FROM DEAN COURT

** READING'S 106 points record remains in tact after Leicester City lost to Brighton on Tuesday night **