Reading went down to a humbling 5-0 defeat at the hands of promotion-chasing Southampton in the Barclays Women's Championship. 

The Royals gave a glimpse of their potential by beating fourth-placed Charlton last time out but were unable to match that level of performance against another high-flying second tier side. 

The visitors trailed 3-0 at the break and two goals from Sophie Pharoah after the resumption handed them a sound defeat on the south coast. 

Saints got a deserved opener when Katie Wilkinson flew to head home Megan Collett's cross. 

One of Reading's better chances came on 19 minutes when Bristol City loanee Jesse Woolley fired wide. 

Wilkinson was the chief tormentor as her backheel set up Ella Morris to make it two and she headed home once again from an Atlanta Primus delivery, effectively sewing up the points with 35 minutes on the clock. 

It was largely one-way traffic in the second half with Pharoah firing home a loose ball on 54 minutes to make it 4-0 and then finding the top corner ten minutes later to complete the rout. 

Reading have an immediate chance to respond as they host Birmingham on Wednesday night. 

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