Reading ended Charlton Athletic's three-game-winning run with an impressive 2-0 victory at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

An end-to-end game with chances at both ends, it was a quickfire second-half double from Charlie Savage and Sam Smith that did the damage in front of a crowd of almost 15,000 supporters.

Despite what the form guide would say, it was Reading who came out from the start and took control. Keeping possession well and peppering the Addicks’ penalty box, the ball would just not fall for the Royals.

It took 16 minutes for the first half-chance of the game, but despite Sam Smith’s smart touch and turn, his effort on the volley had the sting taken out of it by a deflection and fell into Will Mannion’s arms. Charlton posed a threat on the counter-attack, Tyreece Campbell unleashed early on but Tyler Bindon was on hand to force the attacker away from Joel Pereira’s net.

Just before the half-hour mark, Campbell had the visitors’ first registered attempt on goal but his effort was thrashed wide from the edge of the box. The proceeding was much more even as the half progressed, but Reading still looked the most dangerous without testing Mannion.

With almost the last kick of the half, Nathan Jones’ side should have taken the lead with the best chance of the half. Greg Docherty won the ball high, and his cross found Luke Berry, but Pereira managed to somehow palm his powerful effort away from inside the box.

Charlton started the second half like a side which had won their previous three, peppering the goal and putting Pereira under serious pressure. Docherty had the best chance when he controlled a cross on his chest inside the box, only to volley his effort high over the bar.

Somewhat against the run of play, Reading took the lead on the hour mark when Savage confidently strode through the midfield and unleashed a rocket past Mannion in the net. The Addicks brought on powerful forward Chuks Aneke, and he made a difference, pinning his opposite number and ensuring the defence remained under pressure.

Charlton were particularly aggrieved to not win a penalty for what could have been handball against Mbengue, and the Royals were forced to shuffle their pack with 20 minutes to go as Bindon fell awkwardly an sustained a head injury.

Adrian Akande should have doubled the advantage when he dispossessed the goalkeeper, but superb defending ensured the chance went once the 20-year-old had rounded the keeper. Reading need not have worried, however, as a quick throw sent Akande clear and his cross found Smith, who flicked home a second to send most of the 15,000 in attendance into raptures.

Taking the sting out of the tie, the Royals saw out the final 10 minutes, plus another seven additional minutes, with relative ease to ensure an immediate reaction to last week's 3-0 defeat at Wrexham.

Now with a fortnight off due to international call-ups, Reading return on September 14 at home to Leyton Orient.