Reading's Christmas turned sour this afternoon as they slipped back to fourth in the table with a 0-3 away defeat at Preston North End. Reading went into the game with three straight league wins behind them but found their away form lacking once again and were soundly beaten by the home side. The Royals went a goal down within the opening twenty minutes after conceeding a free-kick that was sent into the area before being headed home. It got worse just nine minutes later when Preston doubled their lead after winning another free-kick that was put into his own net by Andy Hughes. Reading struggled to find a way back into the game and it was clear that Preston were on their way to the three points well before they wrapped up victory mid-way through the second half. The ball was crossed and driven home from the centre of the Reading area to wrap up the 0-3 defeat. The game saw Convey get nearly a full half of first team action after replacing Paul Brooker - and Goater made a return replacing Owusu when the Royals were already three goals down. In a hectic Christmas period Reading travel to Gillingham on Saturday looking to improve their away record.