Brentford leapfrogged Reading in the Championship as they beat the Royals 3-1 at Griffin Park.

Reading were the liveliest in the opening minutes with Hal Robson-Kanu and Nick Blackman combining well, forcing a stop from David Button.

The goal came on the 12-minute mark as Jota was quickest to a loose ball, slotting home after a deflected cross from the right.

Jota almost doubled his tally moments later after another deflected ball sent him through, only for the alert Adam Federici to make a good save.

Brentford doubled their lead shortly before the break when Aaron Kuhl was robbed of possession in a dangerous area, allowing Alex Pritchard to ruthlessly convert.

Reading refused to be down and out after the break and it took just five minutes for them to get back into the action.

A fine cross-field ball from Kuhl landed at the feet of Nottingham Forest loanee Jamie Mackie, whose shot at goal fell kindly for Simon Cox to convert.

Reading sensed an equaliser as the game wore on with a right-sided cross finding an open Glenn Murray, who could only head wide.

Brentford capitalised on Reading's eagerness to find that elusive equaliser as they wrapped things up in the 82nd minute.

Reading failed to deal with a drifting corner as Jonathan Douglas found himself open and headed home for Brentford, who had lost three of their last four games before today.