READING’S excellent run in the FA Cup came to an end at Wembley on Saturday evening, as they were beaten in extra time 2-1 by holders Arsenal.

The Royals in their first semi-final since 1927 produced an excellent performance which really deserved more against their Premier League opponents.

Arsenal had the first chance of the game, as Per Mertesacker’s header from Mesut Ozil corner was well saved.

Championship side Reading replied as Jordan Obita tested the Arsenal goalie Wojciech Szczesny with a nice strike.

The holders took the lead on 39 minutes as Ozil, Arsenal’s best player in the game, found Alexis Sanchez in the area and the striker took one touch before prodding the ball through the legs of Adam Federici.

Reading started the second-half looking for an equaliser and it soon arrived as Pavel Pogrebnyak’s cross from the byline was met at the back post by Garath McCleary and he fired home.

The Royals came close to a second, but Danny Williams’ shot went wide.

Reading goalkeeper Federici then produced a great one-handed save to push over Gabriel’s header from a corner.

The same Arsenal player saw another header go wide soon after, before Nathaniel Chalobah forced Szczesny to push his shot wide.

The holders so nearly won the game before extra time, but Aaron Ramsey’s shot hit the post with only a defender on the line to beat.

Ramsey was the first player to test Federici in the first period of extra time, as the goalkeeper pushing his low shot over the bar.

Then right at the end of the first-half of extra time, Ozil found Sanchez on the edge of the area and his shot found its way through the legs of Federici.

It was a rare mistake from the Royals’ goalkeeper, but one he will remember for the rest of his life as this proved to be the winning goal.

Arsenal will now take on the winners of today’s other semi-final between Liverpool and Aston Villa.

Reading manager Steve Clarke praised his players after the defeat and said: “It was good performance which is tinged with disappointment. The players gave me everything and it is just a shame we have lost the game because of a big mistake, not a moment of brilliance.”

The Royals will not have long to lick their wounds as they are back in Championship action on Wednesday night (8pm), when Birmingham City visit the Madejski Stadium.