Reading lost a second successive home match, going down 1-0 against play-off chasing Millwall.

Andreas Voglsammer’s early penalty was all to separate the sides in a turgid afternoon of Championship football.

Starting on top, Reading were doing most of the early running in front of goal. Despite seeing lots of the ball though, it was failing to create any openings on goal that proved the Royals’ downfall. The game suddenly changed just 10 minutes in when a straight-forward pass by Tom Ince was miscontrolled by Naby Sarr, allowing Ziyan Flemming to nick possession and charge through on goal. Evading the efforts of Nesta Guinness-Walker, keeper Joe Lumley took the striker out and the referee pointed to the spot. Andreas Voglsammer fired powerfully past the Middlesbrough stopper and the home side were already fighting an uphill battle.

Gary Rowett’s Lions, firmly in the race for the play-offs, did not trouble the Reading goal for the rest of the half and were content with spoiling the game and playing off scraps. That being said, Paul Ince’s men failed to test George Long either. Forward Andy Carroll appeared to give a foul away every time he challenged for the ball and Shane Long was denied what he felt was a spot-kick. The only half-chance for the hosts all first half was an Andy Yiadom cross aimed toward Carroll, but the official had blown his whistle before the former England forward to do any damage.

Demanding more from the players, the supporters were on edge for most of the second half, but the side put in a much more positive shift than they had done previously, amid some strange refereeing decisions. Dominating possession for most of the period, the Londoners were dangerous on the counter and were very adept at seeing the game out. On the hour park Ince led a strong counter-attack from deep in their own half, only for Lucas Joao’s eventual cross to float into the arms of Long.

Substitute Joao and Ince linked up well moments later too, but the top scorer sent his shot ballooning over the crossbar. Providing a threat when the opportunity presented itself, Player of the Month Tom Bradshaw skewed and effort wide and Reading had to defend a counter-attack well. Despite seeing plenty of huff and puff in the closing stages, he visitors defended well and Long remained untested for the duration. Millwall could have extended their lead in stoppage time as a corner was cleared and they were left three versus one, but a heavy touch from Bradshaw was pounced on by Lumley.

Not getting any easier, Reading go to promotion-chasing Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday.