READING FC dropped down into fourth position after a double from Lyndon Dykes saw them defeated by Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.
The Royals went in front when Andy Carroll netted from the penalty spot with his first goal since returning to the club.
Dykes levelled up quickly and despite an improved second-half display from Reading, it was in vain as the Rangers forward netted his brace from the penalty spot after Mamadou Loum fouled Tim Iroegbunam in the box.
Paul Ince made two changes from Reading’s midweek draw with Norwich City as Lucas Joao and captain Andy Yiadom returned from injury to make it into the starting eleven.
Tom Ince and Junior Hoilett dropped to the bench in a manic run that has seen the Royals play three matches in just six days.
Meanwhile, the hosts were without their top scorer Chris Willock, who has scored six Championship goals this season. Goalkeeper Seny Dieng passed a late fitness test to be ready for the match.
Nesta Guiness-Walker’s throw into the QPR box caused some problems before they managed to block two efforts from Andy Yiadom.
The home team responded with a chance of their own when Illias Chair sprinted at the Reading defence, had options right and left, but opted to shoot as he scuffed a shot wide.
The first big chance of the game came Rangers’ way in the 12th minute when some sloppy defending allowed Tyler Roberts the chance to drive a low effort at goal that was excellently stopped by Joe Lumley.
With Reading on the back foot for the first 30 minutes, Tom Holmes marshalled the back line well and got his body in the way of Roberts’ effort before he made a vital interception.
There was a huge shout for a QPR penalty when Tim Iroegbunam’s header struck the arm of Sam Hutchinson, but the referee pointed for a corner rather than a penalty.
Hutchinson picked up the first yellow card of the game for a rash tackle on the halfway line.
After a disappointing start to the game, Reading took the lead against the run of play when they were awarded a penalty with their first foray forward.
Lucas Joao and Tyrese Fornah traded passes and Joao feinted to shoot before his trailing leg was caught by a poor tackle from Ireogbunan, leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot.
Andy Carroll stepped up to take the penalty and slammed the ball beyond Dieng despite the keeper diving the right way to score his first goal since returning to the club.
Michael Beale’s team hit back with a quick equaliser when Lydon Dykes stooped down to direct Osman Kaka’s cross low into the corner past Lumley.
Ince was forced to shuffle the pack when Hutchison went off injured and was replaced by Junior Hoilett. Yiadom dropped into the back three, while Hoilett went to right wing-back.
The half could have ended in disaster for Reading when Carroll flew into a sliding tackle on Roberts, chopping the winger down. The referee acted quickly to give the Royals forward a yellow card despite the protests from the home crowd and players for him to dismiss Carroll.
Reading started brighter after the restart when Guiness-Walker showed nice footwork on the left to win a free-kick, but the chance was wasted with a poor delivery straight into the clutches of Dieng.
Reading were awarded another free-kick in a promising position when Joao was chopped down by Jake Clarke-Salter, but Carroll blasted a low effort at the wall.
Lumley was required to make another important stop when a floated cross looked goal bound when Roberts nodded towards goal, but the keeper got down low to make the save.
Rangers countered as Reading were left short at the back, Chair drove at goal and fired a shot looking to pick out the top corner, but Lumley got a hand to it to push it behind for a corner.
Ince made his second switch of the game with a little over 20 minutes remaining which saw Ovie Ejaria replace Fornah.
Reading asserted far more control in the second-half and went in search of a winner, while Tom Ince replaced Joao with 15 minutes left.
Kakay tried his luck from distance when he was given room to shoot but his shot whistled comfortably wide of Lumley’s far post.
With just seven minutes left to play, QPR were awarded a spot kick when Loum was judged to have fouled Iroegunam.
Dykes tucked the penalty away into the corner to notch his second goal of the game.
Ince forced a decent save from Dieng with a free-kick before the Royals won two corners in quick succession.
Rangers managed their way through four minutes of added time to take the points.
The Royals are back in action next Saturday when they host West Bromwich Albion at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
QPR: Dieng, Laird, Johanse, Dunne, Paal, Clarke-Salter, Field, Iroegbunam, Roberts, Chair, Dykes
Subs: Archer, Kayak, Dickie, Amos, Dozzell, Shopido, Adomah
Reading: Lumley, Hutchinson, Holmes, McIntyre, Yiadom (c), Guinness-Walker, Loum, Fornah, Hendrick, Carroll, Lucas Joao
Subs: Ince, Meite, Ejaria, Bouzanis, Hoilett, Mbengue, Abbey
Goals: Carroll 30’ (pen), Dykes 33’, 84’ (pen)
