Colchester United U23s were defeated in their Premier League Cup opener on Friday night, as Reading picked up a 3-1 win.
Either side of the half time interval, the U's had good spells of pressure, but the Royals were clinical in front of goal and took their opportunities to get points on the board in this Group G fixture.
Bailey Vose had pulled off some smart stops in the opening forty-five minutes, but could do little when the in-form Ben House whipped home a shot high into the net to break the deadlock just before half time.
Andre Hassanally stung the goalie's fingertips and Ryan Gondoh pulled one just wide, but it was the visitors who pulled further ahead with fifteen minutes to go.
Josh Barrett had had plenty of opportunities in the game and was finally rewarded as his shot on 74 minutes beat Vose.
The win was sealed on 89 minutes as Reading prevented the Col U back four from clearing their lines and it was squared for Tyler Frost to score.
But the last goal was to go to the U's, as Ryan Gondoh's marauding run was ended in the box and Noah Chilvers tucked home the penalty.
U's: Vose, Akolbire (Sayer 74), Kensdale (Randell 60), Forino, Kazeem, Gondoh, Chilvers, Cornish, Sims, Hassanally, McKeown (Charles 60)
Subs not used: Coulter, Hutchinson