READING plunged deeper into relegation trouble after Luton Town inflicted defeat on them at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
Luton went ahead after Tom Holmes headed into his own net and sealed the points with Allan Campbell’s second-half goal.
The Royals are now winless in their last seven Championship matches and have not won at home since October.
Veljko Paunovic’s team stay one place and three points above the drop zone but have played two more games than 22nd placed Peterborough United.
Reading lined-up without Andy Carroll after his contract expired at the weekend which saw a return to the starting eleven for George Puscas, who is yet to score in the league this season.
After club captain Liam Moore was stripped of the armband at the weekend, the returning Michael Morrison was selected to lead the side in his first start since return from injury.
Meanwhile, former Reading academy graduate Gabriel Osho was named on the bench for Luton.
The visitors forged a chance inside the opening minute when Elijah Adebayo skipped past Tom Holmes, but his weak cross was gathered by Luke Southwood.
The Royals had their first sight of goal in the seventh minute when Holmes got on the end of John Swift’s corner but didn’t connect properly on the volley which left James Shea the easy task of plucking the ball out the air.
Powerful forward Adebayo worked some space in the box to release a shot but blasted it wildly over the target.
Some tenacious work from Andy Rinomhota forced a corner, with the natural central midfielder being deployed in an unorthodox role on the right.
The Hatters got on the front foot when Jordan Clark tried to bend a shot towards goal that looped just over the bar via a deflection.
Luton were in front just after the half hour when Holmes tried to clear with a diving header but diverted the ball into his own net.
Swift tried to respond quickly for the Royals and drifted into the centre and struck a shot with his left foot that whistled just wide of the post.
Reading were almost architects of their own downfall again when another teasing delivery was headed inches wide of the far post by Tyrell Ashcroft in what turned out to be a vital defensive header.
The first chance after the restart came Reading’s way but Danny Drinkwater could only manage a tame looping header from Swift’s cross.
Luton started to threaten in hope of doubling their lead. A couple of close range blocked efforts led to Pelly-Ruddock Mpenza taking a swipe from outside the box that flew over.
Just prior to the hour mark, Luton did double their advantage.
Reading were undone by a brilliant threaded through ball to Adebayo and he unselfishly squared the ball for Campbell who applied the finishing touch from close range.
Immediately after the goal, Lucas Joao was brought on to replace Puscas.
Ethan Bristow let fly from distance to try and get Reading back in the game and won a corner after his shot was deflected.
Luton had the chance to punish Reading even further, but Southwood first saved from Peter Kioso and then from Campbell to keep the score down.
A second switch saw Jahmari Clarke come on to partner Joao up top and replace Tom Dele-Bashiru.
A third and final Reading change saw Mamadi Camara take the place of Ashcroft.
The only goal mouth action in the final 10 minutes came for the visitors, who had the ball in the net through Adebayo but it was disallowed for offside.
Reading are back at home on Saturday when they host Huddersfield Town (3pm).
Reading: Southwood, Ashcroft, Morrison (c), Holmes, Bristow, Laurent, Drinkwater, Rinomhota, Dele-Bashiru, Swift, Puscas
Subs: Holden, Abrefa, Holzman, Camara, Clarke, Joao
Luton Town: Shea, Kioso, Burke, Bradley (c), Naismith, Bell, Campbell, Mpanzu, Clark, Jerome, Adebayo
Subs: Sluga, Potts, Barry, Menes, Gomes, Lansbury, Onyedinma, Osho
Goals: Holmes (og) 33’, Campbell 58’
