Reading led 1-0 at the break through Pavel Pogrebnyak but Clarke's side were the architects of their own downfall in a disappointing second half.

Yoni Buyens netted twice – one from the spot after Michael Hector had handled in the box - before ex-Royal Simon Church came off the bench to make it 3-1 to the hosts as Charlton completely outplayed a despondent Reading.

The Royals did get one back in added time through Pogrebnyak but it was merely a consolation as the hosts saw the game out comfortably to seal victory.

It was an even game in the first half but Reading couldn't live with the visitors in the second period and Clarke hit out at his players for their response to a harsh penalty decision.

“No one would've seen the extent of that collapse coming in the second half,” he said. “You want a reaction to adversity, the players probably felt aggrieved by the penalty decision but you have to be better than that.

“You have to be more professional, you need to have leaders on the pitch that realise you sometimes concede goals like that to bad decisions and react and stay in the game.

“It shouldn't have altered the direction of the game. If you have enough leaders and a strong mentality then it should never alter the direction of game.

“The difference between the first half and the second half is incredible.”

Reading now sit 19th in the Championship, nine points above the drop zone with eight games remaining.

It would need to be an incredible turn around for Reading to slip into the relegation places but Clarke said the performance from his side demonstrated that they're not safe yet.

“I don't think we're safe,” he fumed. “You can't when you watch the team capitulate like that.

“There was 15 minutes in that second half where we lost control of the game completely.

“When you see that you can't think you're safe because we haven't got the points required.”