A CONFIDENT display from Reading FC was not enough to end a string of four straight defeats as they were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Steve Bruce's Hull City, writes Courtney Friday.

A dream start for the Royals saw Jake Cooper take the lead after just three minutes, but his effort was cancelled out by goals from City's Abel Hernandez and Andrew Robertson.

Reading had bright spells of possession throughout the game and showed some slick passing play.

The home fans were also left bemused when referee Fred Graham pointed to the spot in the second half when Deniss Rakels hit the turf following a Harry Maguire - only to change his mind a give a corner after misinterpreting the linesman's signal.

Brian McDermott's men continued to probe away at Hull, but their lack of conviction in front of goal saw them slump to a fourth defeat in a row.

Now the end of the season can't come soon enough for most Reading fans. Just 12,949 turned up tonight - the lowest league attendance at home this season.

McDermott made two changes to the side which lost at Leeds United at the weekend with Rakels and Anton Ferdinand replacing George Evans and Lucas Piazon.

It was an attacking switch for the Royals manager, selecting three strikers in his starting XI, and fit again Yann Kermorgant made the bench.

Reading made a bright start with Simon Cox teasing his way into the box. He twisted and turned around the Hull defence but his eventual shot was blocked and cleared.

But Royals took the lead after just three minutes when Cooper immediately made amends after his slip-up at Leeds at the weekend which gifted their opponents their winner.

Oliver Norwood's free kick from the left hand side fell kindly for the towering centre-half to power a header into the back of the net for his second goal of the season.

The home side looked confident and pressed Hull high up the pitch, and some intricate passing put the visitors under pressure at the back.

The Tigers' first real sight on goal fell to David Meyler after 11 minutes, but the Hull skipper dragged his shot wide of Al Habsi's post.

Sadly, Reading's bright start was quickly undone when a long-range pass from Tom Huddlestone looped over their defence for Abel Hernandez to run on to with 17 minutes gone.

He beat Cooper for pace and tucked the ball past Al-Habsi for his 19th goal of the season.

More fine passing from the Royals almost fashioned out a clear chance with 27 minutes gone, but Hector could not convert from Quinn's pull-back.

Hernandez had a chance to double his tally when he was slipped through the Royals defence again, the striker took it first time with his left foot but the ball crashed into the side netting.

Norwood then launched an audacious drive from 30-yards, forcing a great stop from Allan McGregor to give Reading a corner.

Hull were lucky not concede an own goal on 40 minutes when Curtis Davies' attempted clearance from a Quinn cross cannoned into the back of team-mate Maguire, but the ball trickled an inch wide of the post with McGregor beaten.

Reading started the second half brightly once again, but Vydra slipped as he tried to control a Cox through ball with 47 minutes played.

McDermott's first change saw Frenchman Yann Kermorgant come on for Vydra, with the Czech Republic international receiving a decent ovation from the home fans.

Then came the bizarre penalty incident when Rakels collided with Maguire.

Graham pointed to the spot after checking with his linesman, only to reverse the decision and award a corner after realising he'd got it wrong to the amusement - and frustration - of both sets of fans.

Rakels continued to threaten the Hull defence and got on the end of a deft flick from Kermorgant to put his partner through on goal, but Rakels' powerful first time shot whistled into the side netting on 59 minutes.

Back came Hull and substitute Chuba Akpom had half a sight on goal on 68 minutes, but his shot flew out into the concourse and the ball took 30 seconds to find.

Minutes later a cross from McCleary was met by the leaping Kermorgant, the striker got his header on target but the ball looped up into the arms of the awaiting McGregor.

But Hull pressed again in the closing stages and only a fine save from Al Habsi prevented Hernandez from scoring again.

Sadly, Hull's second did come with 11 minutes remaining when left-back Robertson raced past McCleary and slammed an angled drive past Al Habsi from outside the box, sending the travelling fans into raptures.

Norwood did go close to drawing Reading again in the 89th minute, but his free-kick curled a foot wide of the far post as McDermott's men slumped to a fourth straight Championship defeat.

Reading: Al Habsi, Taylor, Cooper, Ferdinand, McCleary, Hector, Quinn, Norwood, Vydra (Kermorgant 53), Cox (John 71), Rakels. Subs not used: Bond, Evans, Piazon, Watson, Barrett.

Hull: McGregor, Odubajo, Davies, Diomande (Akpom 62), Robertson, Huddlestone, Meyler (Hayden 54), Maguire, Maloney (Clucas 86), Snodgrass, Hernandez. Subs not used: Jakupovic, Bruce, Aluko, Elmohamaday.

Referee: Fred Graham.

Attendance: 12,949 (504 away).