READING FC saw their winless streak in the Championship stretch to five matches following a 2-0 defeat at Cardiff City.

Kenwyne Jones and Matthew Connolly scored in each half and Bluebirds keeper David Marshall put in a man-of-the-match to secure the win for the home side.

Royals boss Steve Clarke made five changes to the side that drew 2-2 at home against Huddersfield Town with Michael Hector replacing the injured Paul McShane in defence, inheriting the captain's armband in the process.

Ex-Cardiff City full back Andrew Taylor also took Jordan Obita's place while Orlando Sa, Ola John and Alex Fernandez got the nod ahead of Lucas Piazon, Garath McCleary and Danny Williams respectively.

The first chance fell to Reading when Nick Blackman blasted a free-kick into the wall, but they were soon on the back foot as a header from former Royal Sean Morrison force a fine save from Ali Al Habsi.

The Reading stopper then denied Craig Noone, who also saw a shot blocked by Taylor as the home side stepped it up.

But Marshall was proving a thorn in Reading's side at the other end as he palmed away an Oliver Norwood shot and a Blackman drive to the frustration of the visitors.

It proved to be the turning point as Jones broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time when he headed home from a free kick.

Seconds later, Royals almost levelled before the break when Norwood and Blackman set up Sa, but the Portuguese striker's effort from close range struck Marshall's chest and bounced away to safety.

However, the task facing Reading became even harder when former Royal Matthew Connolly doubled Cardiff's lead eight minutes after the restart.

Yet again Reading's defence was all at sea as Connolly climbed above Anton Ferdinand to head past Al Habsi from a corner.

Sadly, Reading could find no way past the outstanding Marshall at the other end as the Bluebirds keeper thwarted Blackman and Norwood with another couple of fine saves.

The hosts remained a threat as Aron Gunnarsson fired wide of the post when he should have hit the target before Clarke turned to his bench for inspiration and sent on Williams and debutant Rowan Liburd.

Williams went close from long range as Royals pressed, but Noone also fizzed an effort inches wide of Al Habsi's post.

And there was no beating Marshall on the day as further saves from Blackman, Liburd, Norwood and Sa in the closing stages preserved a clean sheet for Russell Slade's hosts.

Cardiff may even have snatched a third goal, but Al Habsi produced a stunning stop to keep out a stinging effort from substitute Idriss Saadi.

The defeat means Reading drop one place to eighth in the Championship table heading into a fortnight's international break.

Clarke will no doubt have plenty to ponder before his side return to action on November 21 when they host Bolton Wanderers.

Cardiff City: Marshall (c), Peltier, Connolly, Morrison, Ralls, Mason (Ameobi 63), Noone, Gunnarsson, Malone, Pilkington (O'Keefe 87), Jones (Saadi 77). Subs not used: Moore, Dikgacoi, Tamas, Kennedy. Booked: Noone 36, Peltier 75, Morrison 88.

Reading: Al-Habsi, Gunter, Taylor, Hector (c), Ferdinand, Norwood, Fernandez (Williams 63), John (Liburd 63), Blackman, Vydra (Hurtado 77), Sa. Subs not used: Bond, Obita, Cooper, McCleary. Booked: Williams 90.

Referee: Keith Stroud.

Attendance: 15,414.