Exeter City were made to regret a poor start as, despite Ilmari Niskanen's maiden goal for the club, two first half goals for Reading gave the visitors a 2-1 win at SJP.
An awful start for City saw them concede within the opening minute, before Reading's lead was doubled 10 minutes before the break when Michael Craig netted the rebound from Joe Whitworth's save.
Niskanen met Pierce Sweeney's cross to halve the deficit midway through the second half, but despite a bright attacking showing City couldn't find that crucial equaliser and lost for the first time in over a month.
On an unusually mild October evening, Gary Caldwell made two changes from the side that secured a 2-0 win at Shrewsbury last Thursday. Mustapha Carayol was handed his first league start in red and white, while Jack Aitchison also returned to the starting eleven. Ben Purrington was back in the matchday squad, with Amani Richards missing out after picking up a knock in training.
First half
The start of the match couldn’t have gone any worse for City, as their club record of five consecutive clean sheets at the third tier level was cut just 58 seconds in.
Johnly Yfeko misplaced a pass across the back, which was cut out by Jayden Wareham. On his first start this season, the Royals' forward rolled the ball past Joe Whitworth to give the visitors an early lead.
With Reading posing a constant threat on the counter, City’s best opportunities looked like they were going to come down the left, where Carayol was looking dangerous.
Having retained his place in the eleven after the Shrewsbury game, Sonny Cox’s first contribution came in the 16th minute when he was maliciously tripped on the right wing. Ryan Woods swung the resulting set-piece into the six-yard box, forcing goalkeeper Joel Pereira to punch clear on the dive.
Sloppy passing from City invited more Reading pressure, and a wayward pass just north of the Grecians’ box gifted the visitors their next chance.
Kelvon Ehibhatiomhan gathered the ball but his shot was deflected out into the Big Bank for a corner. which was cleared by City to the edge of the box. The ball fell to Tyler Bindon 25 yards from goal, but his fiercely stuck shot was straight at Whitworth, who held the ball well.
The Grecians responded well to that close call as Ilmari Niskanen drove the team up the pitch. He played Carayol down the left, who took his time to beat his defender before whipping a cross towards the back post. The ball almost reached the Finnish winger, but a Reading defender managed to poke it away just in time.
City were beginning to grow into the game and, in the 33rd minute, Aitchison found himself in acres of space inside Reading's half. He powered forward and, when finally closed down, took a shot from the edge of the box, but his low effort went wide of Pereira’s goal.
Reading responded on the counter, and Yfeko had to make a crucial block to stop a shot that had beaten Whitworth. Unfortunately, that was only a prelude to what followed.
The ball fell to Wing inside the box, whose low shot was saved by Whitworth's foot, but it rebounded straight to Michael Craig, who had a simple finish to double the visitors' lead.
Despite Reading's advantage, City were still creating chances. Niskanen went close soon after, cutting inside and curling a shot from the edge of the D just over the bar for the closest chance before the break.
Second half
Gary Caldwell made two changes at the start of the second half, hoping to inject some impetus into his side by bringing on strike duo Josh Magennis and Millenic Alli. However, it was Reading who nearly grabbed a third just two minutes after the restart.
A Chem Campbell cross from the right wasn’t dealt with by Ed Francis, allowing Charlie Savage to take a shot on goal. Whitworth reacted swiftly, diving down to his right to deny what many in the away end thought was a certain goal.
With the Big Bank urging City forward, the Grecians went on the offensive. Alli sprinted down the right flank and cut the ball back into the box, where Niskanen met it in the centre, but his shot was safely held by Pereira.
The Finnish winger wouldn't be denied for long, though. Moments later, Sweeney sent in a cross from the right, finding Niskanen who finished at the back post, pulling the Grecians back to within one goal of the visitors.
In the 63rd minute, McMillan nearly brought City level. With space opening up 30 yards from goal, Woods threaded a pass to the Scotsman, who aimed for the bottom corner, but his low drive went just wide.
The Grecians continued to pile on the pressure, with Magennis setting Alli free down the right. This time, City's number 11 opted to cut inside the penalty area and fire a shot, but Pereira produced a fantastic save, and Niskanen's follow-up header was held by the keeper.
Niskanen was on fire almost equalised with a brilliant solo effort in the 72nd minute. Cutting inside from the left, he unleashed a low curling shot that beat Pereira but agonisingly struck the inside of the post.
The Finnish winger looked like he was the Grecian’s best attacking threat, and came close again just under 10 minutes later when he stooped low to meet Doyle’s cross but sent his header just wide.
City continued to pile on the pressure but couldn't find that elusive equaliser, as the Royals defence held out to take three points back from Devon to Berkshire.
Caldwell's team won’t have to wait long to bounce back, with a trip to Huddersfield coming up this Saturday. Support the Grecians on the road—get your tickets here.
Exeter City: Whitworth, McMillan, Sweeney (C), Crama, Yfeko, Niskanen, Francis (Doyle, 55'), Woods (Bird, 85'), Carayol (Alli, 46'), Aitchison, Cox (Magennis, 46').
Substitutes: MacDonald (GK), Purrington, Fitzwater.
Goals: Niskanen 57',
Yellow: Woods 55'
Reading: Pereira, Craig, Knibbs, Savage (Dean, 68'), Ehibhatiomhan (Camara 81'), Wareham (Smith 58'), Campbell (Akande 58'), Bindon, Mbengue, Wing (C), Garcia (Elliott 68').
Substitutes: Button (GK), Ahmed.
Goals: Wareham 1', Craig 35'
Yellow: Mbengue 77'
Attendance: 6807 (713 away)