Reading conceded yet another late goal to lose 1-0 at Cambridge United, making it 15 away league matches without victory.

Fejiri Okenabirhie came off the bench to net the only goal in a poor-quality affair on Sky Sports.

Ruben Selles made seven changes from the midweek Carabao Cup defeat to Ipswich Town, just two differences from the 2-1 defeat at Exeter City last month.

It took under a minute for the hosts to carve Reading open, almost going ahead were it not for David Button and Harlee Dean. Sullay Kaikai waltzed past Amadou Mbengue easily and whipped in a delicious ball. Gassan Ahadme connected well with the header and forced the keeper into a strong save, with Dean clearing the ball off the line to prevent an early lead for the U’s. The Royals started sloppily, and passes were going astray all over the pitch. Danny Andrew fired the ball over the bar from the edge of the box and the visitors had little in response as Mark Bonner’s men looked on top early on.

However, Reading did grow into the half and Dean forced Will Mannion into a save as he connected with Charlie Savage’s deep free kick at the back post. Reading had three chances in quick succession on the half-hour mark as a mixture of Ryan Bennett and Mannion deny Caylan Vickers and Ben Elliott from close range. George Thomas was the next to somehow miss the target from close range, directing a header into the side netting at the back post after a deep corner. James Brophy, who kept Matt Carson on his toes throughout, twisted and turned in the box before firing wide as Cambridge ended the half as they had started it, on top.

Thankfully for the 1200 travelling supporters, it was Reading who had the upper hand for most of the second half. Looking more composed on the ball, Cambridge were mainly limited to springing counter-attacks going direct. Jack Lankester and Liam Bennett were the pick for the hosts, both tormenting the Royals’ right-hand side. With half an hour to go, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan came on and proved difficult to handle for the hosts. Dean came close on the hour mark, powering a header over the bar from a great position.

Ehibhatiomhan curled wide shortly after as Vickers charged down a loose ball to win possession high up. The hosts were incensed by cynical challenges from Sam Hutchinson and Savage, both of which merited yellow cards and looked to take the initiative late on. With seven minutes to go, Brophy flew past Clinton Mola, on debut, before firing a cross into the box. Fejiri Okenabirhie, fresh off the bench, connected powerfully and powered his effort high past a helpless Button.

Reading thought they equalised deep into stoppage time as the ball cannons off the underside of the crossbar, only for a free-kick to be blown.

Now without a game for 12 days, Reading remain firmly rooted in the bottom half of League One, and return to action at home to high-flying Bolton Wanderers.