Reading's recent up-and-down run continued tonight with a 1-3 away defeat at play-off rivals Ipswich Town. With Leicester City recovering their form to win again tonight it's now safe to assume that the Royals outside chances of an automatic promotion spot have entirely disappeared. Finishing in the play-off positions this season will of course be a massive acheivement, and although we're still looking good for a top six finish, it's teams like Ipswich that are threatening to catch up. This victory for Ipswich saw them move within two points of the play-offs and within just seven points of the Royals. This was a disappointing result but certainly not a devestating result so long as we can bounce back on Saturday when we visit Bradford.

A recent concern for Reading boss Alan Pardew has been the lack of available central defenders for selection. With Mackie out suspended and Williams still injured Pardew was forced to pair up Viveash and Brown in the centre of defence. It would be another set-back for Pardew when Viveash put himself up for suspension by picking up an immediate red card early in the second half for what appeared to be a rather stupid head butt. Viveash ran a good distance before flying into the Ipswich player, sending him to the floor after clear contact with his head. You wouldn't really expect something of a such a seasoned professional - and it was the point at which there was no way back into the game for the Royals. Reading trailed 1-2 at that point and the lack of a stable defence resulted in the Royals letting in another before full time for a clear Ipswich win.

Despite the disappointing second half there was still some positive signs from the Royals during a strong period in the first half. However, we got off to the worst possible start, going a goal down within the opening thirty seconds. The game had only just kicked-off when Reading conceeded a free-kick on the right well outside the area. The free-kick was perfectly placed into the left side of the Reading box and saw Hahnemann come dashing out of his goal but fail to claim the ball. Instead Ipswich defender Gaardsoe rose through the crowd of players to put a decent header firmly into the back of the Reading net.

After the early set back Reading quickly got into the game. First Nicky Forster and then Andy Hughes got shots in as Reading started to enjoy the better of the game. Reading's recent run of dangerous corners continued when Nathan Tyson put in a decent effort. Reading's increased pressure on the Ipswich goal saw Andy Hughes nearly pull the Royals level after twelve minutes when he hit a shot from the right that dipped onto the Ipswich crossbar. However we didn't need to wait long for Reading to get the equaliser. A long ball was played down the right wing and Andy Hughes did well to run onto it, past his man, and put over the cross to Nicky Forster who was legging it towards goal through the middle. Forster's first shot wasn't the best - low but straight at the Ipswich goalkeeper. Thankfully the keeper couldn't hold the shot and Forster popped the rebound home from close range. 1-1, with Reading looking the stronger side.

Reading threatened to pull ahead a few minutes later when Nathan Tyson got in a shot that needed the Ipswich keeper to tip the ball over the crossbar. However, it was a signal for the home side to come back to life - and they reclaimed the lead on the half hour mark when a free-kick not far inside the Reading half was nudged forward and then driven home from well outside the area dipping into the back of the net. An impressive goal that made it 2-1 to the home side at the half time break.

The second half burst into life with the Viveash red-card incident just over ten minutes into the half. Murty was brought down resulting in a Reading free-kick near the half way line and an Ipswich player appeared to kick the ball away. Viveash came storming along and flew into the player eventually resulting in his straight red for violent conduct. It signalled the end of Reading's hopes of turning the game around. Reading rarely threatened the Ipwich goal from this point onwards and instead the home side extended their lead with twenty minutes left to play. An attack down the right was cut out in the middle but Ipswich made the most of the extra man to drive it home from the middle of the box.