It was a tale of two penalties at Loftus Road as Queens Park Rangers leapfrogged the Royals into third place with a 2-1 win, scoring a late spot kick to win the game.

Against the run of play, Andy Carroll gave the visitors the lead through a penalty kick, but Lyndon Dyke’s brace turned the game on its head to mark Paul Ince’s first defeat in four matches.

Reading Chronicle: PAPA (Image: PA)

The first half firmly belonged to the hosts, who peppered Joe Lumley’s goal almost from minute one. It took just 12 minutes for the former R’s Academy stopper to be called into action, diving low to prevent Tyler Roberts from giving QPR a deserved lead. Less than 10 minutes later they should have had the chance to take the lead from the penalty spot as Sam Hutchinson knocked the ball away for a corner- missed by the official. Instead, against the run of play, it was Reading who took the lead from the spot.

Reading Chronicle: PAPA (Image: PA)

Lucas Joao received the ball in the box and saw his leg tripped as he attempted to wriggle his way free, Carroll firmly placing his strike beyond Seny Dieng to send the 2,000 travelling fans potty behind the opposite goal. It was not to last, with the West London club level before half time. Osman Kakay delivered a superb low cross, and Scotland international Lyndon Dykes stooped the lowest to nod it beyond Lumley and take the sides into the break all square.

After the break, it was Reading who came out on top. Dominating most of the early play in the second period, they failed to turn the possession into goal scoring chances. Content to play much more on the counter, Lumley made two impressive saves within moments of each other to keep scores tight. First, Ilias Chair bend a wicked ball into the box, only for Lumley to get low and keep it out. Chair took matters into his own hands one minute later- the Royals midfield losing out to leave a two versus three situation. Using his teammates as decoys, the Moroccan drove to the edge of the box and bent a shot destined for the top corner, only for Lumley to bat it away for a corner.

The final half hour was an end-to-end affair, doing no sets of fans’ blood pressure any favours. Chair continued to float dangerously around the edge of the Royals box, growing ever more dangerous as the game progressed and Reading seemingly content with a draw to their nearest competitors. They were not to escape with a point however, as Mamadou Loum was deemed to have fouled Kenneth Paal in the box to give away a penalty. Dykes sent Lumley the wrong way and into a lead with five minutes remaining.

Frantically trying to level, Rangers held on firm to inflict defeat. After three matches in a week, it is eight days until their next match as they host West Brom at the SCL Stadium.