Reading earned their first away win of the season with a less-than-convincing 2-1 victory at Exeter City.

Jayden Wareham and Michael Craig scored in a totally dominant first half, but the hosts roared back and were in complete control for the second period and were unlucky to only score once through Ilmari Niskanen

Ruben Selles made four changes from Saturday's 4-1 win over Crawley Town, with Joel Pereira returning after a spell injured alongside Wareham, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan and Chem Campbell.

Anyone questioning the decision to start Wareham was forced to eat some sweet humble pie within 60 seconds as the forward grabbed his first league goal for the club. Harvey Knibbs was possession deep in the Exeter half and fed the striker, who spun and powered past Joe Whitworth like a seasoned professional.

This control, which was earned within two minutes, was kept up for well over 20 minutes as the visitors controlled possession and tempo in Devon. It took nearly half an hour for the hosts to create their first strong opening and perhaps the Grecians were unfortunate not to level the scores as Andre Garcia turned Mustapha Carayol’s dangerous cross inches past Pereira’s post.

That was to be the only blip for an otherwise faultless first-half performance and the lead was deservedly doubled in the closing stages of the half as Lewis Wing’s saved effort fell kindly for Craig to side-foot past the floored Whitworth.

Jack Aitchison and Ilmari Niskanen saw efforts fly over the crossbar and Charlie Savage had one cleared inches from the goal line in what was an entertaining but largely controlled first half.

Exeter were expected to respond, and they certainly did just that. Making a double change at the break, with experienced forward Josh Magennis brought on, it was a night and day performance from the hosts. Savage could make made sure of the win with a strong strike on target but Whitworth was equal to it.

From then on, it was all Exeter as they flipped the momentum on its head. Niskanen should have halved the deficit with a change from just inside the Reading box, firing straight at Pereira. He did not need to wait long, however, as he converted a deep cross from former Royal Pierce Sweeney.

Max McMillan tried his luck from a distance and Millenic Alli forced the returning keeper into a strong save following as dazzling run as the Grecians twisted the screw in search of an equaliser.

Failing to create anything of note in the closing stages, it was backs to the wall for Reading as Gary Caldwell's side ended with four strikers on the field.

Four minutes of stoppage time dragged by as Exeter threw balls into the box, but the Royals defended valiantly and were roared over the line by the 700 travelling supporters in attendance to edge over the line.