READING FC were soundly beaten at St James' Park as Newcastle United secured their first Championship points of the season.

Jaap Stam's men have now shipped six goals in the past four days following Saturday's 2-0 loss at Wolves.

Memories of their opening day victory over Preston are suddenly fading fast after a sobering week for the Dutchman.

There is no doubt these past few days have thrown up some daunting away fixtures.

The good news is Stam sees this as a long-term project for his new-look side.

Judging his team after three games and succesive defeats would be missing the point.

He insists his players will take time to adapt to his style of play, his system.

But the Championship can be an unforgiving testing ground for rookie managers under presure from both owners and fans to deliver quick success.

There were plenty of encouraging moments in the north east on Tuesday night, and even hope of another memorable Roylas win when Garath McCleary's penalty cancelled out Isaac Hayden's opener moments after Roy Beerens had hit the woodwork for the visitors.

But the hosts regained the lead four minutes after the break thanks to Matt Ritchie's controversial spot-kick before a brace from ex-Royals target, Dwight Gayle, put the icing on the cake.

Stam challenged his players to show a reaction to the 2-0 defeat at Molineux on Saturday by naming the same starting XI, with Stephen Quinn and Joseph Mendes returning to the bench.

Some early Royals pressure came to nothing before Magpies were denied a third-minute opener when Gayle turned in an Ayoze Perez cross with his arm, earning a yellow in the process.

Then just when Reading seemed settled, they conceded in the 20th minute from a poorly-defended set piece.

Jordan Obita was booked in a dangerous position and, when Ritchie's effort took a deflection, Hayden drilled in the loose ball from 15 yards.

With the Magpies' faithful screaming for a first win, many teams could have crumbled in the St James' Park cauldron.

And it neeed a vital save from Ali Al Habsi to deny Yoan Guffron to stop Royals falling further behind near the half-hour mark.

But Royals stood up to the presure and launched a rousing comeback.

They almost drew level in the 37th minute when John Swift released Beerens, but luck was against them and the Dutchman's drive smacked against the bar.

But they did equalise from the spot a minute before the break when Swift was tripped by Chancel Mbemba and McCleary fired past Matz Sels from 12 yards.

At that stage the momentum was with Stam's men.

But they were to fall behind for a second time four minutes after the restart from the second penalty of the game.

On this occassion Chris Gunter was harsly booked for a clumsy challenge as a corner from the left flew into a crowded goalmouth. Referee Andrew Madley also pointed to the spot allowing Ritchie to fire past Al Habsi.

Yet Reading continued to probe away and Sels had to be alert to deny Danny Williams.

It was, though, only a brief reprieve. Al Habsi had to be at at his best to deny Hayden, then Newcastle notched a third in the 70th minute.

Again, Reading were to concede from a set piece as Gayle curled home a free-kick from 25 yards after George Evans had been booked for a bad tackle.

It was a sweet strike from the ex-Crystal Palace striker, but Al Habsi got a hand to the ball and could have done better.

Royals rarely threatened a second goal and perhaps some late drama. Evans drilled one wide from distance but Newcastle coasted home and even notched a fourth in the 88th minute when Gayle turned in a deflected cross to seal their first Championship win of the campaign.

As for Stam, it doesn't get much easier with Brighton the visitors to the Madesjki Stadium this Saturday (3pm).

Newcastle: Sels, Anita, Dummett, Mbemba, Clark, Ritchie (Aarons 90), Hayden, Shelvey, Gouffran (Colback 84), Perez (Lasceles 76), Gayle. Subs not used: Darlow, Janmatt, Hanley, Armstrong. Booked: Gayle 3.

Reading: Al-Habsi, Gunter, Obita, McShane (c), Van den Berg, Evans (Mendes 83), Williams, Swift, Beerens (Meite 79), McCleary, Kermorgant. Subs not used: Jaakkola, Cooper, Rakels, Quinn, Watson. Booked: Obita 19, Gunter 49, Kermorgant 62, Evans 68.

Referee: Andrew Madley.

Attendance: 48,209.