Reading staged a second-half comeback at League Two Colchester United to draw 2-2 in the Carabao Cup first round, however, a penalty shootout defeat signalled an early exit for the Royals.

Ruben Selles made eight changes from Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Birmingham City, including giving four debuts from the start. However, the youngsters struggled in the first half and Danny Cowley’s side deservedly took a two-goal lead through Tom Hopper and Jack Payne

Charlie Savage and Lewis Wing scored tremendous goals in the final 25 minutes to take the game all the way, but Kelvin Ehibatiomhan and Amadou Mbengue saw their spot kicks saved.

It took just three minutes for the fourth-tier hosts to open their account, deservedly so after a dominant start. After a series of corners and crosses, Jack Payne’s cross was flicked into the net by Hopper.

Keeping their foot on the gas, it could have been worse within 10 minutes as Dean was dispossessed on the edge of the penalty box. Thankfully for the visitors, chances were smothered, and the attack came to nothing.

 The only respite the Royals got in the first half was a short stoppage on the 20-minute mark after the sprinklers bizarrely went off in the middle of the action.

 It took 22 minutes for Reading to have their first attack of any kind, Knibbs mistiming his shot and the U bringing the ball away from danger.

Teenager Kanu endured a half-hour to forget after being booked for a tackle early on and given a final warning on 32 minutes after being deemed to haul back a Colchester forward. Selles had seen enough and replaced the defender, with New Zealand international Tyler Bindon brought on in his place. Still young and suffering a potential confidence knock, both Knibbs and Selles pulled the teen aside and had no doubt consoling words on route to the bench.

Manny Egbo headed over the bar with 10 minutes remaining in the half, but it was the visitors happier to head down the tunnel trailing by just one.

Selles made changes at the break, with Ehibhatiomhan and Mamadi Camara coming on at the break. Both made strong impressions in the second period as the settled first-team players took command over the League Two outfit.

Within 10 minutes the Royals had a chance, with Andre Garcia embarking on a strong run before feeding Knibbs. His cross found Jayden Wareham, but the striker was unable to connect and sent it out for a goal kick.

It was to get worse before it got better for the visitors, with Payne converting a penalty of his own making within seconds of Wareham’s effort to double the hosts’ lead.

Looking set for a disappointing evening, it took a stunning strike to haul the Royals back into the game as Savage curled a beautiful effort past the stretching Matt Macey from outside the box. It was all Reading from then on, with Knibbs seeing an effort beaten away with 20 minutes to go before Wing levelled the scores directly from a free kick. With five minutes to go, the turnaround was almost completed but Ehibhatiomhan could only direct Harlee Dean’s cross wide.

Unable to make the most of their momentum in the closing period, it was decided by a shoot-out.

Colchester converted all of their spot kicks directly in front of the 639 travelling supporters, while Reading saw two saved to signal an exit.

League One action returns on Saturday as Wigan Athletic are the first visitors to the SCL Stadium of the season.