Two first half strikes from Harvey Knibbs earned Reading all three points at the Weston Homes Stadium with Emmanuel Fernandez late goal a mere consolation.
Peterborough United suffered a rare home defeat at the Weston Homes Stadium as Reading picked up all three points thanks to two first half strikes from Harvey Knibbs with defender Emmanuel Fernandez firing a late consolation for Darren Ferguson's men.
Posh were excellent in possession throughout the first 45 minutes and carved out some presentable opportunities, but were undone by a quickly-taken free-kick from Lewis Wing and were then undone by a straight pass as the Royals strengthened their position in the league table.
Kwame Poku saw a shot beaten away at the near post by Pereira on four minutes, but KNIBBS was in the right place at the right time to fire home from close-range after an initial effort from Sam Smith was repelled by Bilokapic after a Wing free-kick had caught Posh cold.
Joel Randall saw a shot from the edge of the box loop into the arms of the keeper via a deflection after good work from Ricky-Jade Jones.
Ryan De Havilland sent a curling effort straight at the keeper on 17 minutes before Reading doubled their lead as KNIBBS took advantage of poor defending and fired past Bilokapic.
Fernandez couldn't keep a header down from a Sparkes corner on 25 minutes before Bilokapic pushed aside a snap-shot from Savage at the other end.
On 32 minutes, Posh produced some fine football around the penalty area, but Jones couldn't wrap his foot around his final strike and it went wide of the target.
Poku saw two shots blocked before Jones couldn't force home the ball from close-range after Pereira had initially spilled the ball at his feet.
Reading hit the bar inside the opening two minutes of the second half through Savage while Bilokapic kept out Smith. On 78 minutes, Posh had a huge chance to reduce the arrears but Poku side-footed wide from close-range after good work from Jones.
A minute later, Poku was sent clear down the right, but he couldn't squeeze his shot into the bottom corner. Bilokapic then did well to keep out a low effort from Elliott and substitute Wareham drilled a low shot inches past the post.
Poku fired wide of the near post before Posh did get a goal back as FERNANDEZ hit a fine left-foot shot into the back of the net via the underside of the crossbar.
There was still time for an equaliser but Conn-Clarke was kept out by Periera who also did well to keep the ball close to him as Jones beared down on goal.
Posh: Bilokapic, Fernandez, Wallin, Dornelly (sub Curtis 59min), Sparkes (sub Hayes 84min), De Havilland (sub Odoh 78min), Collins, Poku, Jones, Randall, Mothersille (sub Conn-Clarke 84min). Unused subs: Blackmore, Nevett, O'Brien-Brady,
Reading: Periera, Dorsett, Elliott, Craig, Knibbs, Savage, Smith (sub Wareham 79min), Campbell, Bindon, Mbengue (sub Kanu 67min), Wing. Unused subs: Button, Camara, Garcia, Akande, Ahmed.
Half-time: Peterborough United 0-2 Reading
Full-time: Peterborough United 0-2 Reading
Attendance: 10,008 (1,204 Reading fans)
Referee: Scott Simpson