Reading's play-off hopes are floundering after Steve Coppell's side slumped to their third successive 3-0 league defeat, this time to Wimbledon at the Madejski Stadium.

Coppell's side went down by the same scoreline at Stoke a fortnight ago, were stunned 3-0 at home by Crystal Palace last week and plumbed greater depths against rock-bottom Wimbledon.

The lacklustre Royals lost more ground on the play-off places after creating little in response to two first-half goals from Dons duo Wade Small and Dean Lewington and a late third from the impressive Joel McAnuff.

Wimbledon shook off the effects of four straight defeats and turned the table on its head as early as the ninth minute when midfielder Small chipped home his first senior goal for the club.

Patrick Agyemang fed Jamie Mackie, who then found Small in space and the former trainee beat Reading keeper Marcus Hahnemann with a tidy finish.

Wimbledon's Steve Banks then pulled off a brilliant save to deny Reading an early equaliser.

Scott Murray powered over an outswinging corner and Ivar Ingimarsson's bullet header was destined for the back of the net before Banks' late intervention.

Banks held another header, this time from Steve Sidwell following John Salako's cross, but the visitors, prompted by McAnuff, soon silenced the home fans again and found themselves two-up in the 23rd minute.

Adam Nowland clipped in a cross from the right and Lewington was first to react, heading past Hahnemann from close range.

Reading's Andy Hughes had two efforts on goal - one a 20-yard volley - but Coppell's side struggled to make headway and created few chances of their own.

A couple of Salako crosses were comfortably dealt with and, if anything, Wimbledon continued to enjoy a greater share of possession.

Coppell sent on loan striker Lloyd Owusu for the ineffective Murray eight minutes into the second period, but apart from Nicky Forster's volley that flashed over the crossbar, Reading offered little up front.

Salako blazed over from 25 yards, but too often Reading's final ball let them down, crosses drifting out of play or easily blocked, while Hahnemann did well to save a thunderous drive from Dons striker Nowland, who let fly from 35 yards.

Coppell threw on James Harper for midfielder Kevin Watson in the 69th minute and immediately Forster fired in a right-footer from the edge of the box that Banks parried.

But Agyemang then fired a warning that Reading did not heed, shooting straight at Hahnemann from the edge of the penalty area, moments before McAnuff rounded off an outstanding display by firing the third, drilling a left-footer beyond Hahnemann at the third attempt.

Teams:

Reading Hahnemann, Murty, Williams, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Murray (Owusu 54), Watson (Harper 69), Hughes, Sidwell, Salako, Forster.

Subs Not Used: Brown, Newman, Young.

Wimbledon Banks, Lewington, Darlington, Gier, Leigertwood, McAnuff, Small, Nowland, Reo-Coker, Agyemang, Mackie (Gray 67).

Subs Not Used: Chorley, Tapp, Harding, Worgan.

Booked: Agyemang, Reo-Coker.

Goals: Small 9, Lewington 23, McAnuff 81.

Att: 14,486

Ref: P Taylor (Hertfordshire).