READING FC WOMEN squandered an early two goal lead against Everton as they missed out on the chance to move further clear of the relegation places.
Justine Vanhaevermaet gave Reading the ideal start when she converted from the penalty spot just two minutes in before extending the team’s lead in the 17th minute.
Everton responded through Hanna Bennison before half-time and levelled the game when Katja Snoeijs scored from a penalty.
The Toffees completed the turnaround in the 83rd minute with the pick of the goals through Nicoline Sorensen.
The defeat leaves Reading still a point above bottom side Leicester City who have a game in hand.
Reading went into the contest in a continuing struggle to try and preserve their Women’s Super League status.
After Brighton’s win in midweek, the Royals went into the match just one place and one point above the relegation zone over Leicester City.
With five tough games to come in the remainder of the campaign, Kelly Chambers’ side needed to find some semblance of form to try and escape the drop.
Meanwhile, the Toffees made the trip to Berkshire sitting safely in mid-table without the threat of relegation, but too far off to make a late push for the Champions League spots.
Tia Primer returned to the side as Chambers opted for a line-up with plenty of attacking talent that also included Sanne Troelsgaard, Emma Harries and Charlie Wellings.
Reading got off to the perfect start when they were awarded a spot kick inside the opening minute.
After bursting upfield, Charlie Wellings worked her way into the box and was tripped from behind, leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot.
Justine Vanhaevermaet took responsibility and slotted the ball calmly into the bottom right corner, sending goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan the wrong way.
The Royals continued to push on in what was a bright start, trying to add to their advantage when Emma Harries tried to scramble to get to a loose ball in the box, fouling the keeper in the process.
Rachel Rowe then worked space in midfield to have an attempt at goal that flew over the top.
The Toffees repossessed down the right with an inviting ball in the box that was dealt with by Easther Mayi-Kith who got an important touch to turn the ball behind for a corner.
Reading proceeded to create plenty of attacks in search of a second and were rewarded through some tenacious work from Sanne Troeslgaard who stole possession in Everton’s box, turned past her marker and put it on a plate for Vanhaevermaet to apply the finish to make it 2-0.
After winning successive corners, there was a penalty appeal as the Reading players believed that Efverton handled in the box.
Karen Holmgaard got into the Reading box with a shooting chance but couldn’t place the ball in either corner and instead shot straight at Grace Moloney.
The visitors did manage to respond to reduce the deficit a few minutes before half-time with a slick move that started inside their own box.
Everton worked the ball swiftly upfield on the left as Lucy Hope’s overlapping run ended with her finding Hanna Bennison to stroke the ball past Moloney.
Some fine work in midfield from Rowe saw her glide past two players and slide the ball in for Troelsgaard, but the angle worked against her as she only managed a tame shot at the keeper.
Everton started strongly in the second-half to try and level when Hope got in behind the Royals defence only to fluff her lines and slice a shot wide of Moloney’s far post.
Another chance came the way of the Everton skipper shortly after when Diane Caldwell missed an opportunity to clear and the Toffees midfielder curled wide of the post.
In an attempt to nullify Everton’s promising play, Chambers made her first switch in the 60th minute that saw Faye Bryson replace Primmer.
Having pressed for the opening 15 minutes of the half, Everton were given the chance to level from the spot when Caldwell for judged to have fouled Jess Park.
Katja Snoeijs ensured she put the visitors on terms by placing the ball neatly into the bottom right corner past Moloney.
The away team missed a golden chance to snatch the lead just a few minutes later when Snoeijs smacked over the top after Reading switched off and failed to clear from a corner.
Pressure continued to build and Moloney was called into action to stop a powerful effort from Snoeijs.
Chambers made a second change with just under 20 minutes to play as Brooke Hendrix came on for Mayi Kith.
Everton continued to pile on the pressure when Rikke Sevecke sprinted through and tried to curl past Moloney who produced another important save.
The wave of Everton attacks eventually became too much as Nicoline Sorensen scored with a sublime solo effort to put her team in front to complete the comeback.
She dribbled past two players and cut inside from the right and unleashed a soaring effort that flew past Moloney into the corner to put the away team in front in the 83rd minute.
The defeat leaves Reading one place off the bottom over Leicester who have a game in hand.
The Royals have four league games left to play.
Reading: Moloney, Mukandi (c), Caldwell, Mayi-Kith, Vanhaevermaet, Primmer, Eikeland, Rowe, Troelsgaard, Harries, Wellings
Subs: Poulter, Bryson, Evans, Wade, Hendrix, Jane, Alexander, Perry
Everton: Brosnan, Bjorn, Wheeler, Bennison, Park, Sorensen, Hope (c), Finnigan, Snoeijs, Stenevik, K Holmgaard
Subs: Ramsey, Sevecke, Christiansen, Beever-Jones, Maier, Galli, S Holmgaard
Goals: Vanhaevermaet 2’ (pen), 17’, Bennison 41’, Snoeijs 62’ (pen), Sorensen 83’
