READING FC fell to a frustrating 1-0 defeat at Championship strugglers MK Dons this afternoon.

Joe Walsh's smart finish on 78 minutes was enough to secure three much-needed points for Karl Robinson's hosts.

As for Royals, this was arguably their most painful loss of the season in front of 3,000 travelling fans, and their worst under Brian McDermott since he took over last month.

In truth, his players only had themselves to blame as they created numerous chances but lacked a finisher in form.

Royals have now scored only twice in their last three league matches and are without their top goalscorer following Nick Blackman's £4 million switch to Derby County.

McDermott says he is in no hurry to find a replacement, but on this evidence the search must be quickly stepped up.

Talks with Bournemouth's Yann Kermorgant are believed to have taken place in the past week and Reading could get a deal over the line within a matter of days.

Yet they could also lose striker Orlando Sa who is being linked with AEK Athens.

Sa remained on the bench today even when Royals were searching for an equaliser, with McDermott bringing on Simon Cox instead.

For now, Royals must reflect on a day of wasted opportunities including a terrible miss by Matej Vydra in the first half.

McDermott kept faith with the same side that started in the 1-1 draw at Derby on Tuesday.

A third away fixture in a week threatened to sap the players' energy, but Royals boss saw otherwise.

There were few signs of tiredness when Garath McCleary burst into the box and found Danny Williams, but the American's shot missed the target with only two minutes on the clock.

Yet some sloppy marking at the back gave MK Dons a sniff of an early goal.

Ali Al Habsi showed sharp reflexes to palm a Nicky Maynard header out for a corner.

But Reading were at sixes and sevens when the flag kick came in until Williams eventually cleared the danger.

MK remained on the front foot, but Jake Forster-Caskey headed over from a Samir Carruthers cross before Royals hit back with a counter-attack that ended with McCleary's effort deflecting wide from an Andrew Taylor centre.

Al Habsi watched a Carruthers 30-yarded fly over the bar on 21 minutes before Chris Gunter went in the book for a bad tackle on Josh Murphy.

MK Dons were showing a positive response to their 5-0 home drubbing by Burnley on Tuesday, but they needed a smart stop from David Martin to deny Lucas Piazon.

Williams also flashed a shot over the bar in the 29th minute only for Robson-Kanu to follow Gunter into Chris Breakspear's book.

Nevertheless, McDermott's men wasted a gilt-edged chance to break the deadlock six minutes before the break.

McCleary showed superb skill to leave two Dons players in his wake before unselfishly passing to Vydra with the goal at his mercy.

Sadly, the Czech ace struck a first-time shot from the centre of the box past the near post when he looked odds-on to score.

Robinson's hosts had the last say of a goalless half when Rob Hall fired narrowly wide, leaving the game balanced on a knife edge.

But Royals threatened first in the second half when McCleary and Vydra combined to set up Williams, but his weak effort failed to trouble Martin.

Then from a 52nd minute corner, Norwood's powerful half-volley from the top of the area was expertly saved by Martin at full stretch.

The Dons stopper was at his best again six minutes later when he saved a shot from McCleary after Piazon's initial effort had been blocked.

The hosts were struggling to get out of their half and Norwood sliced one into the stands as Reading continued to press.

McDermott sent on fresh legs on 64 minutes in a bid to find a goal with Ola John replacing Piazon.

Moments later there was a huge sigh of relief from the home bench when Breakspear showed a yellow to Kyle McFadzean for a cynical foul on Vydra when it looked like he was the last defender.

Dons were offering little going forward but they made the most of a purple patch by taking a crucial lead with 12 minutes to go.

Al Habsi did well in the build up to push Forster-Caskey's shot behind after good work by Carruthers.

But when the delivery came in, Walsh was left free to hook the ball home from eight-yards out to put Dons in front.

McDermott's men huffed and puffed in the closing stages and Jake Cooper nodded wide from a corner with three minutes to go.

But Dons held on for the win which eases their relegation fears and leaves Reading in desperate need of reinforcements up front.

The loss sees Reading drop to 14th in the Championship table and 11 points off the play-off positions.

Royals break from league action on Tuesday when they host Huddersfield Town at Madejski Stadium in an FA Cup third round replay (8pm).

MK Dons: Martin - Spence, McFadzean, Walsh, Lewington (c) -  Potter, Forster-Caskey, Hall (Upson 87), Carruthers (Hodson 90), Murphy (Bowditch 90) - Maynard. Subs not used: Cropper, Reeves, Church, Hitchcock. Booked: Carruthers 63, McFadzean 67.

Reading: Al-Habsi - Gunter, Taylor, Cooper, Ferdinand - Norwood (c), Williams, McCleary, Piazon (John 64) - Robson-Kanu (Cox 82) , Vydra. Subs not used: Bond, Keown, Quinn, Fernandez, Sa. Booked: Gunter 25, Robson-Kanu 37, Williams 84.

Referee: Charles Breakspear (Surrey).

Attendance: 13,062 (Reading 2,901).