Reading surrendered a two-goal advantage to league leaders Portsmouth to lose 3-2 on an emotional day in Berkshire- slipping to the bottom of League One.

Almost 2,000 Reading fans marched to the match from the town centre in protest against the ownership of Dai Yongge.

They were in dreamland within 35 minutes as Charlie Savage and Lewis Wing put the hosts in control.

However, Tino Anjorin, Colby Bishop and Paddy Lane completed the comeback 15 minutes either side of the break to deservedly make it 26 matches unbeaten.

After many had spent two hours marching in protest against the owner, the supporters were at fever pitch by the time kick-off came around. Matching the madness in the stands, spectators were treated to an end-to-end thriller from start to finish. It took just four minutes for the first stoppage, with tennis balls launched onto the field, before Bishop tested David Button and forced him to tip and effort over the crossbar.

Just before the 20-minute mark, another barrage of balls were thrown, with the referee threatening to abandon the game were it to happen again. There was no worry about that as Wing fired the hosts into the lead just moments after the restart, connecting powerfully to unleash an effort from just inside the box.

The visitors, on a great run of form, looked on the ropes and Reading took advantage before the half-hour mark. Savage, given more license to roam in a new formation, matched Wing but from the other side of the box to stun the 3,000 travelling fans and send home supporters into raptures. Pompey were never out of the game though, and looked bright when they reached the final third. Button made a smart save from an in-swinging corner, but it was to be for nothing as former Reading transfer target Anjorin pulled one back moments later.

Pressing hard for an equaliser, the best chance of the half went begging from Sam Smith after the striker had held off defenders and rounded the goalkeeper, only to fire an effort over the crossbar of an open goal. Buoyed by the miss, Portsmouth put their foot on the gas and continued to test the experienced Button. Just as it looked like the hosts had seen out the eight minutes of stoppage time, a cutback was stabbed over the line by Bishop to draw scores all level at the break.

Carrying on their momentum from the end of the first half, Portsmouth were in complete control for the second half and almost scored a will. Button had to be on high alert throughout, making a smart double save within minutes of the restart after Anjorin opted for an overhead kick.

Controlling all the ball, the only surprise was that it took so long for the visitors to complete the turnaround and take the lead. A cross was nodded down in the box and Lane was on hand to side-foot the ball past Button from close range. Reagan Poole nearly made sure of the game minutes later, directing a header narrowly wide of the Royals goal. Substitute Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan had Reading’s first effort on target of the half, in the 76th minute, as fellow substitute Ben Elliott fed him one-on-one with Will Norris. The keeper parried behind for a corner and the attack faded out.

Elliott tested the keeper himself in stoppage time, hitting the target from a distance, but again a corner was wasted as keeper Button fired wide from inside the box.

To add insult to injury, Amadou Mbengue saw red for a clash with Christian Saydee after the final whistle, rendering him suspended for the next three league matches.

Taking a break from league action, League Two MK Dons travel to the SCL Stadium next week in the first round of the FA Cup.