DERBY County’s five-match unbeaten run at home in the Championship came to an end with a whimper last night in a toothless display against Reading.
The Rams failed to fashion a meaningful shot on goal and were far too wasteful in possession against a solid Royals side.
Noel Hunt grabbed the only goal of the game just after the hour — and it had been coming.
The defeat, the fifth in the league at Pride Park this season, sees the Rams stay in 13th, while the visitors move up to sixth as they seek a play-off place.
Nigel Clough will not be happy after overseeing an excellent 0-0 draw at Millwall on Saturday and will have hoped for more attacking endeavour from his men, although they did improve after falling behind.
But they did struggle to fashion chances and their lack of creativity was exposed.
Derby were unchanged after Saturday, with Clough again opting for a 4-3-3 formation using Jamie Ward on the left and Tyson on the right of attack.
Reading were much the better side in a truly dire first half and there was a sense of when, not if, they would open the scoring.
But despite playing much of the opening 45 minutes in Derby’s half, Frank Fielding had no saves of note to make.
Hal Robson-Kanu was a constant threat down the left for the visitors but when he had the opportunity to cross, his delivery was found wanting.
On 14 minutes, he over-hit a ball which Fielding gathered easily and a minute later Jimmy Kebe’s cross was cleared by Shaun Barker.
The Rams threatened for the first time on 23 minutes when Ward’s free-kick was headed by Barker in a crowded area before Tom Carroll put the ball back in, only for Adam Federici to claim.
A minute later, Robson-Kanu skinned Paul Green but his cross just eluded Hunt and Jason Roberts.
Jason Shackell, Derby’s best player on the night, then stopped what looked a certain goal with a cracking tackle to nick the ball from Hunt as he surged onto Roberts’ ball into the box.
The half petered out with the odd pot shot from both sides, neither of whom were particularly fluent.
Craig Bryson was replaced by Steve Davies at half-time after picking up a knock. Davies slotted in on the right of midfield.
Reading had the first chance of the half as Hunt turned and fired well over from the edge of the box on 52 minutes.
Gareth Roberts was lucky to get away without a yellow card after hauling Kebe down in full flow on 57 minutes — it was a warning sign.
Ward nicked the ball from Jem Karacan on the hour and charged at the Royals back four before it looked like he was tripped on the edge of the box.
The referee thought differently and as Derby protested, Reading broke and Kebe crossed for Hunt to nod past Fielding from six yards. The goal had been coming as the Royals enjoyed more possession and territory.
Green tried to hit back on 64 minutes but drove wide from 30 yards as the Rams were finally stirred into action.
Ward then headed just wide from 15 yards on 72 minutes as Derby pressed for an equaliser and he dragged a rightfooted effort just wide with five minutes left.
It was all Rams for the final few minutes but they could not quite force the equaliser on a disappointing night.
