Reading stuttered to a 1-0 defeat at Portsmouth on Tuesday, in a match which left them frustrated and cursing their luck.

To rub salt into the wound, defeat was sealed by former Royal Dave Kitson, his first goal this season.

Referee Andy D’Urso gave the visitors little change and cancelled out a Noel Hunt goal for offside, as well as dismissing a handball in the box from Portsmouth defender Jason Pearce.

Royals manager Brian McDermott said: “It’s disappointing – it looked like a penalty. We kept going and maybe should have got something from the game. Noel Hunt's goal was onside as well.

“It was one of those nights. It's never easy to come here, so good luck to Portsmouth. Our fans were great again and I'm disappointed we couldn't get a result for them.”

Reading rode their luck in the first half, with Kitson missing a one-on-one and another former Royal Greg Halford blasting against the bar.

Malian winger Jimmy Kebe had the visitors’ best sight of goal – a low header from a Jobi McAnuff cross which thudded the upright.

Truth be told, Reading never had a grip on the game and looked toothless without Shane Long who recently left for West Brom.

Kitson finally crystallised his side’s dominance on 50 minutes with a side footed volley after frantic mayhem followed a corner.

There was more misery to come. Hunt’s disallowed close-range finish looked onside and Steve Cotterill’s Portsmouth side agitated their rivals with gamesmanship.

The Royals were left further aggrieved when Jimmy Kebe lurched forwards to kill a loose ball, with Pompey’s Pearce raising his arm to block it in the box. D’Urso shook his head and waved play on.

McDermott said: “We didn’t get decisions and there’s nothing you can do about it. Saturday was a great result and we’ve got four points now but we’ve got to move on.