How they rated

RYAN ALLSOP

Was largely untroubled, really. Did his thing well with the ball at his feet. Couldn’t stop either goal.

MAHLON ROMEO

Looked decent over on the right-hand side. We saw more of him going forward and was largely very good at shutting out Reading attacks over there.

CURTIS NELSON

Culpable for the penalty. Lucky not to be sent off for hauling down Ince, who was clean through on goal. Missed Perry Ng’s footballing ability at times, too.

CEDRIC KIPRE

Misjudged the header which led to the penalty. Made a very good last-ditch tackle to deny Tom Holmes a certain goal.

JAMILU COLLINS

Had a good battle with Junior Hoilett, gave as good as he got. Perhaps didn’t see as much of him going forward this week.

RYAN WINTLE

When Cardiff were in the ascendancy, things went through him. Growing in stature every week.

ANDY RINOMHOTA

A battling performance in the middle, lost possession a couple of times, though. Off at the break after taking a nasty foot to the head from Jeff Hendrick.

ROMAINE SAWYERS

Wasn’t in the game as much as Cardiff would have liked and couldn’t really impart his influence on proceedings. Pretty anonymous.

SHEYI OJO

Showed a fleetness of foot to create the odd chance or two. Offers City something different on the wing and looked to create when he could.

MAX WATTERS

Some bits of neat link-up play, but again not in the game nearly enough from a Cardiff standpoint. Hooked early in the second half.

SUBS

Joe Ralls (Rinomhota 45) 5 – Just looked a little off the pace when he came on but then adjusted.

Mark Harris (Watters 52) 6 – Showed far more willing than Watters and tried to at least get something going. Sent one headed effort over.

Jaden Philogene (Romeo 74) 5 – Came on for his debut, didn’t really do a great deal. Kion Etete (Ojo 74) 5 – Same as above.

Tom Sang (Sawyers 74) 5 – Came on at right-back, tried to whip in a few crosses but scarcely found his man. Subs not used: Alnwick, Denham

READING

Lumley, McIntyre, Holmes, Yiadom, Guiness-Walker, Hoilett (Clarke 90), Fornah, Hendrick, Ince, Ejaria (Abrefa 66), Long (Ehibhatiomhan 81). Subs not used: Bouzanis, Holzman, Leavy, Tuma

REFEREE

Darren England.