Stockport County leapfrogged Reading into the play-off places with an effective 3-1 victory at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Isaac Olaofe and Callum Connolly put Dave Challinor's men in a commanding lead at the break as the Royals were firmly second best.

Sam Smith reduced the deficit on the hour mark but substitute Jack Diamond rounded off a convincing display for the Hatters, who won in Reading for the first time since 1992.

Noel Hunt was able to introduce previously injured stars, such as Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan, Michael Craig and Jeriel Dorsett in the second half, one of the few positives in what was only the third defeat on home soil of the season.

Despite kicking off with possession, it took Reading less than 90 seconds to be forced into their first defensive action of the half, a sign of things to come. Kyle Wootton fired wide of the near post and Olaofe came close all within the first three minutes.

It was to nobody’s surprise when the visitors took the lead through Olaofe, prodding home Macaulay Southam-Hales’ flick on past Joel Pereira. Sometimes it can take a shock to jolt the team into playing, but it was certainly not the case for Reading on this occasion as they looked like deer in headlights.

The Stockport lead looked unassailable within 15 minutes as Norwood picked up his second assist of the match, crossing deep and finding an unmarked Connolly at the back post to head past Pereira unchallenged.

Experienced, physical and streetwise, the Royals simply had no answer to the Hatters, who cut off all passing lanes and were enjoying the battle in the air. Tyler Bindon was forced into action to prevent the scoreline looking worse early on, blocking Olaofe’s shot off the line as a shell-shocked Reading had no answer to their effective visitors.

There was little response immediately after the break from the hosts, who needed intervention from both Bindon and Lewis Wing on the goal line to prevent the visitors killing the game off within minutes of the restart.

On the hour mark, the arrival of Ehibhatiomhan and Craig brought a ripple of applause from the frustrated home crowd, but they were given something to cheer about within seconds as Charlie Savage’s cross was converted by Smith to half the deficit.

Determined to pull level, the Royals chased down the visitors but also took more risks and lost possession countless times. Pereira needed to be alert to deny Diamond on one of these occasions, but he was unable to prevent the forward from restoring Stockport’s two-goal lead with 20 minutes remaining after Reading carelessly lost possession in the midfield.

Controlling the closing stages expertly to complete a season double, the reigning League Two champions now edge into sixth at Reading's expense, albeit having played a game more than the Royals.

Fixtures are not getting any easier for Reading, who travel to eighth-place Leyton Orient on Saturday.