The Royals led at the break through Pavel Pogrbenyak's 40th minute opener but a Yoni Buyens brace - one from the penalty spot - and a tap in for Simon Church gave the hosts a deserved win, despite Pogrebynak's late consolation cutting the deficit.

Reading's misery was compounded in the 85th minute when they were reduced to ten men as Danny Williams received his marching orders for a second yellow card after an altercation with Tony Watt.

Although Pogrebnyak's late goal set up a grandstand finish, Clarke could have no complaints at his side's defeat on a dismal day is in London.

The Royals boss would've been hoping to get safety assured as soon as possible so that he can start planning for an FA Cup semi-final but that'll be the last thing on his mind over the international break as Reading now sit 19th in the Championship, just nine points above the relegation zone.

Clarke had insisted that his side wouldn't suffer an FA Cup hangover but they weren't at the races here, with the team that had swept Bradford aside nowhere to be seen.

Clarke made one change to his side and it was an enforced one as Nathaniel Chalobah missed out after picking up a knock in midweek.

Oliver Norwood replaced him but the surprising news was the absence of Yakubu and Simon Cox from the Reading bench, with both missing out due to small injuries picked up in training.

Setting the pattern for the game, it was the hosts who started brighter and an early corner was flashed wide of Adam Federici's goal by Johann Gudmundsson in the fourth minute.

Chances were at a premium and although Gudmundsson showed neat foot work to get in between the Reading midfield and defence on a couple of occasions, he failed to turn it into any real chances.

Despite failing to create any opportunities of their own, Clarke would've been relatively pleased with the minimal chances that the in-form Charlton had created.

And Reading were enjoying plenty of the ball in midfield but struggling to break through a resolute home defence.

In the end, the Royals went ahead with their first real opportunity of the game as Pogrebnyak gave the visitors the lead in the 40th minute.

Reading worked the ball wide and Jordan Obita's driven effort across goal was brought under control by the Russian striker and fired past Stephen Henderson to give Reading the lead at half-time.

It was perhaps harsh on the hosts and they came flying out of the blocks in the second half in a bid to make amends.

Tony Watt had already gone close before Michael Hector made a fantastic block to deny Buyens from five yards out as he looked to divert the ball into an unguarded net.

Chris Eagles then forced Federici into a low save at his near post but the pressure was building and eventually it told, albeit fortuitously.

Hector was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box and although it did strike his hand, it seemed Tony Watt had clearly pushed the Reading man beforehand.

Darren Deadman stood firm despite the protests and Buyens stepped up to send Federici the wrong way and give Charlton a deserved equaliser in the 58th minute.

Clarke's side were struggling to live with the hosts in the second half and they continued to roam forward following the equaliser.

Only a glaring miss from Eagles ensured Reading stayed level in the 62nd minute as a swift counter-attack – started when Watt beat Pearce to the ball on the halfway line – resulted in an unmarked Eagles somehow heading over Gudmunsson's perfect cross.

Jordan Cousins and Watt tested Federici moments later before the relentless pressure eventually told in the 70th minute.

An attack down the Charlton right saw Joe Gomez's cross swept home by Buyens as the static Reading defence watched on.

It was Buyens' second goal of the game and fully deserved as Reading struggled to cope with their hosts - who have now won seven of their last nine

A rare Reading attack saw Danny Williams blaze harmlessly over the bar but Charlton would've been wondering how they hadn't put the game to bed in the 76th minute as the Royals were once again indebted to Federici.

Buyens cut the ball back to Simon Church and the ex-Reading man was unmarked six yards out and centre of the goal but his low effort was superbly saved by Federici.

The Reading keeper then made another fine save to deny Watt but he could do nothing to prevent the Addicks sealing a deserved victory in the 79th minute.

The relentless Watt wriggled free of Hector out wide and ran along the byline before crossing for Church to divert the ball home from a yard out.

It had been an awful day for Reading and Williams' late sending off only added to that but Clarke's side did get another goal back through Pogrbenyak deep into added time.

Reading were given one more chance in the fifth minute of added time as a free-kick was awarded outside the box but Obita's delivery was straight at Henderson and the referee brought proceedings to a halt immediately.

Reading Federici – Gunter, Hector, Pearce, Obita – McCleary, Williams, Norwood (Karacan '63), Robson-Kanu (Blackman '83) – Mackie, Pogrebnyak. Subs not used: Andersen, Cooper, Stacey, Akpan, Karacan, Taylor, Blackman.

Charlton Henderson – Gomez, Diarra, Johnson, Cousins – Gudmondsson, Buyens, Bulot, Fox – Eagles (Church '68), Watt (Lepoint '88). Subs not used: Dmitrovic, Bikey, Lennon, Ahearne-Grant

Referee: Darren Deadman

Attendance 15,007