Bristol Rovers’ goal drought and winless run continues as they saw defeat at home to Reading in League One on Tuesday evening. .
Sam Smith opened the scoring inside the opening 10 minutes before Lewis Wing’s emphatic free-kick doubled the visitor’s lead before the interval and in miserable fashion, the Gas have now failed to score in each of their last seven matches.
Ruben Selles’ side started the match the brighter of the two sides and they found soon themselves 1-0 to the good. The ball ricocheted in the box following a throw-in and Smith nodded home past a flat footed Jed Ward.
The Gas’ poor start continued as the visitor’s dominance shone though, as an echoing of boos jeered around the Mem.
Luca Hoole had a half chance for Taylor’s side on the half hour mark when Antony Evans’ wide free-kick met the head of the young defender, whose effort flashed well wide of the far post.
The Royals then found their second goal of the match just before half-time, when Wing curled in a glorious free-kick into the top corner to send a sold out away end into ecstasy.
Taylor made a triple change at half-time in attempt to salvage the match. Rovers soon had their first shot on target of the game as Evans tested Joel Pereira from distance, sending sarcastic jeers around the Mem.
Rovers almost pulled one back just after the hour mark when Scott Sinclair fired a shot towards Periera’s goal, but Tyler Bindon’s heroic defending cleared the ball off the line.
Substitute Brandon Aguilera had another big chance to end Rovers’ long-term goal scoring drought, but the Royals’ shot stopper got down well to deny the Nottingham Forest loanee.
However, the Gas’ misery in front of goal continued as they were unable to really threaten Pereira’s goal.
Victory for Reading saw them move to 17th and within two points of Rovers in 16th, although the Royals have played a game extra.
1. GK: Jed Ward - 6
Misjudged Reading's opener, as the youngster was found flat footed which saw Smith nod home. There was little Ward could have done to keep out Wing's stunning free-kick. The goal keeper did have a better second-half and made some important saves.
2. RB: Luca Hoole (subbed off 70') - 6
The full-back had a relatively quiet game, but you couldn't fault his effort. Hoole was replaced midway through the second-half by Jack Hunt.
3. CB: Connor Taylor - 6
Was slow to react for the Royals' opener and was relative lacklustre in possession at the back. Failed to deal with Reading's attack.
4. CB: James Connolly (subbed off 45') - 5
Similar to his defence partner Taylor, Connolly was slow to move the ball in the first-half and struggled to beat the Reading high press and was replaced at half-time.