After a three-match winning streak, Reading returned to Earth with a bump as Stockport County ran riot at Edgeley Park, winning 4-1 against a sub-par Royals side.

Taking an early lead through Will Collar, Ruben Selles' side levelled the scores through Chem Campbell but were trailing by two at the break after strikes from Kyle Wootton and Louie Barry.

Unable to stem the flow in the second half, Barry added a second and the Hatters could have walked away with an even more handsome victory than the one acquired.

Four changes were made from Saturday's 1-0 win over Bristol Rovers, with Jayden Wareham, Charlie Savage, Adrian Akande and Campbell replacing Sam Smith, Ben Elliott, Mamadi Camara and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan.

After a frantic opening five minutes, the hosts eventually began to take control and had the first effort of the game after 12 minutes as Barry curled an effort narrowly wide of the post after a game of head tennis in the Royals half.

Heading right up the other end themselves, Akande should have done better as Fraser Horsfall got his legs tangled up and ceded possession facing his own goal, only for a recovering defender to snuff out any real chance of an opener.

Eventually the deadlock was broken, and it was no surprise to see the Hatters hit the net. Tyler Onyango, who was impressive throughout, was allowed to drive through the heart of the Reading midfield and to the edge of the box before feeding Collar. The midfielder struck the ball from just inside the box and, courtesy of a wicked deflection, beat Joel Pereira.

With their tails up, it could have been worse for Reading 10 minutes later as Barry tried his luck again from distance, this time forcing Pereira to tip his effort around the post.

Somewhat against the run of play, however, Reading hit back. Akande fed Harvey Knibbs out wide, and the midfielder drilled a low ball into the box where Campbell was on hand to side-foot past Corey Addai. Wareham came close barely two minutes later when the ball was won high by Reading but his shot fizzed wide of the post.

No more than three minutes after drawing level did Reading find themselves trailing again as Kyle Wootton diverted a header into the net from a deep free kick.

Firmly on the back foot from that point on, Wootton tested Pereira again with his head before the hosts were given the opportunity to extend their lead from the penalty spot as Andre Garcia was deemed to have fouled a falling Jack Diamond. Barry stepped up and sent his spot kick down the middle and put deserved daylight between the sides.

No matter how many changes or discussions the playing side had, it was not to be an evening to remember for Reading as the hosts continued to asset their dominance after the break.

Quicker, stronger, smarter and wilier, Dave Challinor's men continued to be the only side looking likely to find the net and the Edgeley Park faithful were baying for blood.

Amid some more lax defending, Barry was able to add a fourth with 25 minutes remaining but the damage was already done as some of the 870 travelling supporters had seen enough and opted to start the drive home early.

Visiting this particular part of Greater Manchester for the first time since 1998, the Royals lost 5-1 on that evening on route to relegation from the second tier. Hopes of winning at Edgeley Park for the first time since the 1950s will also have to be put on the backburner for at least another year.

Now on a 10-day break from League One action, Fleetwood Town visit the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Saturday for the First Round of the FA Cup.