IT wasn't such a Good Friday for Reading City as they lost 2-1 at Longlevens after being ahead with an hour gone in their Premier Division clash, writes Dave Wright.

They had beaten the Gloucestershire side by the same margin the previous Saturday at Rivermoor Stadium and their hopes of completing a quick double looked promising when Ousman Darboe put them ahead after 15 minutes.

They had chances to increase their lead with Trevor Mutero missing a particularly good opportunity on the half-hour mark.

City were holding their own, but in the 61st minute keeper Charlie York could only get his fingertips to a long throw-in and Jonty Welch was on hand to prod the ball home.

And they were still recovering from that setback when Longlevens struck again, this time from Jay Malshanskyj, who is on loan from League Two side Forest Green Rovers.

Manager Simon Johnson offered no excuses for the defeat, commenting: "We got what we deserved in the end. In the first half, we were superb defensively, but in the second half we ran out of steam and didn't do the things which have made us good in the past few weeks."

But he added: "I am overall happy with the squad we have built and will continue to build over the summer. We are already discussing our plans for next season."

City have finished second bottom, but are not expecting to be relegated as they believe bottom club Abingdon United will be the only club going down.

Last night (Wednesday) City were hosting newly-crowned champions Wantage Town in the semi-finals of the Reading Invitation Senior Cup.

AFC Aldermaston have already booked their ticket to the final at Madejski Stadium – the date has still to be announced – after beating Division One East rivals Wallingford Town 3-2 on penalties after the tie had ended 1-1.

Sam Bangura netted for the Atom Men with substitute James Spruyt on target for Town.

Aldermaston also shared two goals with Thame Rangers in their final league fixture on Saturday. This left them with 45 points, five less than runners-up Thame and nine behind champions Burnham.

Jamel Forde-Small put the visitors ahead after 32 minutes with Dan Hatton equalising for Thame two minutes into the second half.