U23s play-off hopes hit

READING UNDER-23s’ hopes of clinching a Premier League 2 play-off spot took a hit with a 4-1 home defeat against Newcastle.

Tyler Frost scored the only goal for the Royals at Adams Park with the defeat sending the race for a top five place down to the final game.

Scott Marshall had numerous players with first team experience available to him with Joseph Mendes, Sam Smith, Andy Rinomhota, Tennai Watson and Tom Holmes all handed starts.

But a defensive mix-up gave Newcastle the lead with Adam Wilson nipping in to score.

Frost went close to levelling just before the break and the miss was punished as the visitors moved 2-0 ahead just after the restart with Owen Bailey turning in from close range.

Luke Charman soon headed in a third goal before Frost got on the score-sheet with a neat finish.

But any hopes of a comeback were dashed when Stefan O’Connor headed home.

Royals sit in the final playoff place with one game to play, home to Stoke on Monday, looking to end their run of five defeats in their last six matches.

And Reading’s U18s suffered an identical fate against

Aston Villa, going down 4-1 at Bodymoor Heath.

Royals took the lead through Connor Lawless but goals from Indiana Vassilev, Dimitri Sea (2) and Ben Guy secured victory for Villa.

Defeat leaves David Dodds’ youngsters second-frombottom of the Premier League South table.