The wheel of fortune just did not turn Blues' way as they went down to University of Birmingham by a single goal at Sonning Lane on Sunday.
They battled hard after conceding an early goal and came within a whisker of securing the equaliser.
With time running out, Kate Richardson-Walsh's effort was deflected by Leah Wilkinson away from keeper Jen Mashford, but only to strike the post. Susie Gilbert pounced onto the rebound, but her shot was shot scrambled off the line.
That just about sums up the team's luck this season.
Reading, who were missing internationals Alex Danson and Emily Maguire, forced six corners in the game, while University had three, but they made the first of them count with Anna Toman beating keeper Sarah Ellis after nine minutes.
After a shaky start. the Blues' defence tightened up but their forwards found it difficult to penetrate a well-organised visiting defence.
Birmingham retained the ball better at times, stringing together some passes together.
But the second saw Blues impose themselves more on the game and chances started to come their way.
Their first clear-cut opportunity fell to Charlotte Daly, but she could not find a way past the keeper, who then denied Sarah Jones and Emma Thomas.
For five minutes Birmingham were reduced to nine players through two yellow cards, but Reading could not take advantage and they were reduced to 10 themselves when Abi Harper was sent to the sin-bin.
In total, six yellow cards were shown in the second half, four of them to Birmingham players - an indication of their competitive spirit as they fought to contain a Reading side that battled to the end.
After Wilkinson had hit the post from a 67th minute penalty corner, University returned to the attack and forced a short corner, which saw home keeper Sarah Ellis produce two smart saves in quick succession.
Next up for Reading is an away trip to bottom-of-the-table Beeston next Saturday.