FA CUP semi-finalists Reading slipped to 19th place in the Championship after they suffered a 3-2 defeat at Charlton Athletic.

This was despite the Royals taking a 1-0 lead by half-time after Pavel Pogrebnyak fired in Jordan Obita’s left wing cross.

The home side were level just before the hour after Yoni Buyens scored from the penalty spot following Michael Hector’s handball.

The same player made it 2-1 as he slid in to connect with a cross from Joe Gomez after 70 minutes.

Former Reading player Simon Church added a third goal after good work by Tom Watt with 10 minutes to go.

A miserable afternoon for the Royals got even worse when Daniel Williams was sent-off after he picked up his second yellow card in the game.

However, Pogrebnyak scored from close range from Jamie Mackie to set up a nervous finale, but the home side held on.

Due to international fixtures next weekend, Reading are next in Championship action on Saturday April 4 when mid table Cardiff City are the visitors to the Madejski Stadium.