Reading progressed into the last 16 of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy after a penalty shootout victory of Charlton Athletic.

Despite dominating the first half, they went into the break behind to an Alfie May poachers goal from a deep cross. Huffing and puffing in the second half, they failed to test the Addicks until the final 10 minutes when Charlie Savage curled home an equaliser to take it to a penalty shootout.

The Royals netted four out of four, while May and Louie Watson misses sealed progression.

Naming a strong side, the likes of Sam Smith, Lewis Wing and Nelson Abbey all returned from the start after they were left out against Eastleigh in the FA Cup.

It took nine minutes for the first real sight on goal as Sam Hutchinson lost possession in midfield and May was fed through against Joel Pereira. Abbey recovered well and managed to block as he was pulling the trigger.

Wing tested Ashley Maynard-Brewer first on the 14th minute, stinging his palms from distance before Amadou Mbengue flashed a shot wide of the post shortly after.

The biggest chance of the game fell to teenager Caylan Vickers, a fan favourite who already had two goals in this competition when Wing’s blocked shot fell for him unmarked in the box staring down an empty goal. Catching it full, the midfielder could only somehow fire his shot wide, not even testing the keeper.

The Addicks were second best throughout the first half but went ahead when Tyreece Campbell flashed a dangerous ball across the face of the goal and May prodded home in a melee at the back post.

Coming out in the second half with it all to do, the side flattered to deceive and never truly threatened to get back level. The introduction of Charlie Savage, Harvey Knibbs and Femi Azeez added some spark, but real chances were few and far between.

Vickers had a shot blocked well after Knibbs nodded down an Azeez cross, and Smith almost got on the end of a drilled cross, but the defence intervened.

May kept the defence on their toes, forcing Pereira into a smart save above his head with the clock ticking down.

It looked as though it was ebbing out to a narrow defeat, but Savage had other ideas. Collecting a pass from Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan from 30 yards out, the midfielder took out touch out of his feet and curled an unstoppable effort into the net.

From then on, the hosts were going to be the only winners, with Elliott and Ehibhatiomhan both going close. It was not to be, and only a penalty shootout could decide the result.

At home again in just three days, Barnsley visit the SCL Stadium on Saturday.