READING FC’s away woes continued as Royals slipped to a frustrating 1-0 defeat against Preston North End at Deepdale.

In truth, Jaap Stam’s men looked a different side to the team which dominated against Aston Villa on Tuesday night as Royals were forced to play long-ball football for much of the game.

They fell behind in the first-half when Jordan Hugill volleyed home from close range and could have fallen further behind but for some poor finishing by the hosts.

Stam was forced into two early changes when Liam Kelly and John Swift were both forced to withdraw from the field in the first-half.

And the Royals continued to lack fluency in their play and fell to their second defeat away from home this season.

Stam made a single change to the team which beat Aston Villa on Tuesday night with Leandro Bacuna, making his Royals debut, coming in to replace fellow countryman Joey van den Berg.

Liam Moore sparked widespread panic amongst Reading fans when dropped down injured during Royals’ pre-match warmup. The central defender received treatment on the pitch but he was able to start the fixture.

The hosts began with some short and sharp passing, preventing the Royals from keeping possession of the ball as they often do.

Liam Kelly conceded an early corner which was delivered into the box by Josh Harrop. Defender Ben Davies swung a boot at the ball but, thankfully for Reading, his volley flew high over the crossbar.

Ben Pearson then broke through Royals’ line of defence and let a stinging shot towards goal. Vito Mannone was quick off his line however and produced a fine save down to his right.

There was nothing to choose between the sides in the opening 15 minutes and Royals had to be patient as they tried to break the hosts down.

Reading twice gave the ball away cheaply in quick succession and Liam Moore was forced to hack down his man, earning a yellow card, following Kelly’s tame pass.

Jordan Hugill gave the hosts the lead after a delicate cross towards the far-post from Barkhuizen found its way towards the striker. Hugill had all the time in the world and simply bought the ball under control before blasting it past Mannone.

Royals struggled to get themselves into the game and in truth lacked momentum as the hosts continued to push forward.

Preston’s Maguire slipped at the vital moment as a dangerous corner looked destined to fall straight to him and could have doubled the home side’s lead had he kept his footing.

Worrying for Stam, Kelly and John Swift both went down injured in the first-half at Deepdale and had to be replaced by Joseph Mendes and George Evans respectively.

Mendes almost made an immediate impact when he rose highest from a well-worked set-piece to glance the ball towards goal. Preston’s shot-stopper Maxwell was scrambling but just managed to deny the French forward his first goal of the new season.

Reading continued to lack urgency in their play and the hosts sliced Royals wide-open following a corner-kick on the verge of half-time. Hugill charged towards goal but thankfully Mannone was on-hand to deny the strike.

Fisher committed an early foul on Adrian Popa after the Romanian international pulled off a clever nut-meg. Fisher, already on a yellow, perhaps should have been given his marching orders and Royals were incensed that referee Andy Madley did not produce the second yellow card.

Moore showed his class when Barkhuizen burst into the box early in the first-half. The 24-year-old, who had also already been booked, stayed on his feet and closed the winger down, putting an end to the danger.

Fleet-footed Barrow produced a lovely piece of trickery on the wing before cutting inside and getting a shot away. He ignored the awaiting Mendes however, who was left furious he did not receive the ball.

Pelle Clement clumsily gave the ball away and the hosts had a chance to counter down the left-hand side. Tyler Blackett managed to avert the danger however as the ball was played into the box with 62 minutes played.

Blackett had to be alert again almost immediately after as Johnson looked certain to double Preston’s lead. The former Manchester United defender produced a vital block to deny the midfielder.

The game suddenly opened up and Reading could have pulled level through Evans second after Blackett kept Royals in the game. Evans swiped at the ball however and his shot failed to trouble keeper Maxwell.

Hugill’s dangerous cross found its way to Barkhuizen at the far-post but, thankfully for Royals, the forward shanked his shot with the goalmouth gaping.

Reading won a free-kick in a promising position with 72 minutes played. Popa struck the ball with power but it deflected off the wall of defenders and out for a corner.

But Royals’ efforts were constantly dismissed by the hosts as Stam’s men constantly struggled to force a clear-cut opening.

Preston enjoyed a strong spell of possession in the closing stages of the match and Royals’ only hope appeared to be on the counter-attack.

But Reading, who managed just a single shot on target throughout the 90 minutes, looked a different team to the side which beat Aston Villa on Tuesday night.

Paul McShane was thrown upfront as a makeshift centre forward as Stam desperately tried to snatch a point from a frustrating trip to the north-east.

Reading FC: Mannone, Gunter, McShane, Moore, Blackett, Kelly (Mendes, 34), Bacuna, Swift (Evans,24), Popa, Barrow, Clement (McCleary, 65).

Subs not used: Jaakola, Ilori, Quinn, Beerens

Preston North End: Maxwell, Pearson, Hugill, Harrop (Browne,71), Johnson, Fisher, Davies, Huntington, Maguire, Barkhuizen (Robinson,83), Earl

Subs not used: Hudson, Vermijl, Spurr, O’Connor, Mavididi,

Yellow cards: Pearson (12), Moore (19), Fisher (39), Evans (45), Gunter (90)

Referee: Andy Madley