For a seventh time in the last nine league games at home, Reading fired a blank - as they fell to yet another inevitable home loss.

Goals in either half from Alan Judge and James Tarkowski did the damage this time to ensure the Madejski Stadium crowd were sent home without a goal to cheer once again.

It is now just seven points from the last 12 games for Reading, with major upheaval in the summer an absolute certainty - as well as a necessity.

Reading were behind from the eighth minute as Judge volleyed home and despite creating some decent half chances, they seldom tested David Button in the visitors goal.

When you look at where these sides were three years ago, it's hard to believe that Reading are destined for a 19th placed finish whilst Brentford will be looking to secure their play-off spot next week.

Steve Clarke's side were booed off at the final whistle but a small percentage of fans did wait around to cheer the Royals on their lap of appreciation – presumably through habit rather than wanting to thank their side for their efforts over the course of the season.

Yes, the Royals did put in an heroic performance at Wembley but that can't be allowed to mask the fact that this is a side that have constantly failed to deliver over the last nine months.

Clarke made four changes from the side that lost to Birmingham City in midweek, with Alex Pearce, Danny Williams, Hal Robson-Kanu and Oliver Norwood returning.

Jake Cooper, Jem Karacan and Nick Blackman dropped to the bench, whilst Nathan Ake has returned to Chelsea after his loan spell ended on Wednesday.

Reading had been hit with a late goal on Tuesday but it arrived earlier here as Brentford took just eight minutes to break the Reading rearguard.

Andre Gray advanced down the right and his flighted cross was volleyed high into the net at the near post by a grateful Judge.

The Bees midfielder seemed to have all the time in the world to pick his spot and fire past Adam Federici to give Brentford a dream start in their bid to stay on track for the play-offs.

Despite the early setback, Reading were creating some chances of their own in the first 30 minutes.

Nathaniel Chalobah glanced a Chris Gunter cross wide in the 14th minute before Garath McCleary spurned a glorious chance a minute later.

Gunter's delivery found its way to McCleary but 12 yards out and centre of the goal he managed to scoop the ball over the crossbar.

Jamie Mackie then fired wide when well placed as the Royals struggled to test Button in the opposition goal despite plenty of chances.

It was a similar tale of woe for Reading supporters in a frustrating first half, with Brentford the closest to scoring again as the half drew to a close.

Alex Pritchard's strike from 18 yards was deflected narrowly wide as the visitors looked to capitalise on Reading's wastefulness.

As has happened in the previous two home games against Bournemouth and Birmingham, Reading completely died off in the second half.

It was Federici that was again to Reading's rescue in the 50th minute as Brentford broke clear.

Gray powered away from Michael Hector on the touchline before driving into the box and forcing a fine save from the outstretched leg of Federici.

Clarke's side did have the ball in the net six minutes later but it was ruled out for offside as Chalobah turned home the rebound from Robson-Kanu's strike.

There was hope that the mere sight of the ball crossing the line at the Madejski Stadium might give Reading encouragement but it failed to have that effect and Brentford soon struck to seal the three points.

Judge had scored the first but he turned provider as his free-kick from wide right was headed home by an unmarked Tarkowski in the 65th minute.

It was hard to argue that it was a deserved second goal for the visitors but Reading were again left scratching their heads at how such a simple move had ended with the ball in the back of their net.

Clarke reacted by instantly introducing Simon Cox and Jack Stacey, and they both went close to pulling a goal back for the Royals.

Cox pounced on a loose clearance to run in one-on-one with Button but his firm drive was well saved by the Brentford keeper, whilst Stacey forced a save out of Button from a tight angle when it was maybe better to look for a pass.

There was still time for Jon Toral to fizz a long-range effort against Federici's post before the end as Reading were booed off at the full-time whistle after another despairing performance in front of their home fans.

Reading Federici, Gunter, Hector, Pearce, Obita, Chalobah, Williams, Norwood, McCleary (Stacey '66), Mackie, Robson-Kanu (Blackman '85). Subs not used: Andersen, Cooper, Akpan, Karacan,

Brentford Button, Bidwell, Dean, Douglas, Odubajo, Judge, Grey (Dallas '68), Diagouraga, Pritchard, Jota (Toral '68), Tarkowski. Subs not used: Craig, McCormack, Dallas, Bonham, Toral, Smith, O'Connell.

Referee Andrew Madley

Attendance20,048 (3,457)