Preston started the game well with a chance within eight seconds but Nugent failed to convert. Preston were punished soon after with a controversial opener fron Steve Sidwell. The Reading player looked to foul keeper Carlo Nash on the ground whilst stabbing home.
Preston equalised two minutes later through Callum Davidson. However Reading managed to take the lead through Leroy Lita who used his pace to stab home in first half injury time. There's something about injury time and this referee - it was Keith Stroud who took charge of Preston's fixture earlier in the season at Bramall Lane when Preston lost two one to two goals in each half deep into stoppage time.
Preston now face a dozen games in two months which will test if the squad can come off the worst run of the season to make the play-offs.