Reading fell to back-to-back defeats in League One in a match which the Royals had to play with 10 for the majority of the game after Louie Holzman’s red card.
In Noel Hunt’s third league match in charge since taking over from Ruben Selles, Reading found themselves a goal behind within eight minutes when Bailey Cadamarteri was able to react first to the rebound following Joel Pereira’s initial save and pounced to put the home team in front.
Reading were numb in attack and didn’t manage a shot on or off target throughout the first-half.
Despite that, Reading felt they should have been given a penalty when Sam Smith was hauled down in the box, but to the bemusement of the players and away fans, the referee waved away any appeals.
Their task got a whole load more difficult when Holzman was dealt a straight red card after being deemed the last man when he brought down Ben House outside the box.
Given there one-man advantage, it was no surprise that Lincoln looked the more likely to score next and came agonisingly close when House struck the post from a cutback just a few minutes after the restart.
House’s luck had seemingly run out when he again struck the upright in the 65th minute as the Imps continued to search for a second goal.
They were rewarded and eventually doubled their lead in the 72nd minute to put themselves in firm control of the contest when Reeco Hackett volleyed home.
The busy Christmas schedule sees Reading host Northampton on Boxing Day before they then welcome Mansfield to the SCL on December 29 before facing Cambridge United away from home on New Years Day.
Lincoln City: Wickens, Roughan, O’Connor, Montsma, Darikwa, Erhahon, McGrandles, Hackett, House, Makama, Cadamarteri
Subs: Draper, Duffy, Hamilton, Jefferies, Moylan, Pardington, Ring
Reading: Pereira, Garcia, Holzman, Bindon, Craig, Savage, Wing, Knibbs, Campbell, Camara, Smith
Subs: Osho, Button, Senga-Ngoyi, Dean, Kanu, Sackey, Wareham
Goals: Cadamarteri 8’, Hackett 72’
