A moment to forget for Australian goalkeeper Adam Federici put Sheffield United on track for victory and ensured that Reading's slow start to the Coca-Cola Championship season continued.

On a day when his countrymen appeared to lose their grip on the Ashes, Federici allowed Jamie Ward's 25-yard shot to slip through his fingers and leave manager Brendan Rodgers still looking for his first league win in charge of the Royals.

Matthew Mills had put the home side ahead with the first league goal under Rodgers but midfielder Stephen Quinn smuggled Kevin Blackwell's side level before the break.

The Blades were the better side after half-time and went ahead when Ward's speculative shot was not held by Federici.

Substitute David Cotterill then sealed the win with a third in stoppage time to leave Reading without a home win since January. After a slow start the hosts found the net when Mills powered in a 13th-minute header.

Gylfi Sigurdsson swept in a perfect free-kick from the left wing and Mills made the most of some sloppy marking to steer the ball past Mark Bunn from close range.

Jay Tabb then smashed over the crossbar after a fine move as the Royals began to impose their calm, passing style on the match.

United's cause was not helped when the impressive Keith Treacy went off before the half-hour mark but against the run of play Blackwell's side equalised in the 42nd minute with a soft goal.

A long ball to the back post was not dealt with and Ched Evans shanked a shot across the face of goal.

The ball was allowed to travel across the six-yard box and Quinn took advantage to steal in and side-foot into the roof of the vacant net. Evans should have headed the Blades ahead before strike partner Darius Henderson did find the net only to see his effort ruled out for a push.

The home side had again made a slow start to the half but came within inches of a superb second on the hour.

Ryan Bertrand found Sigurdsson 25 yards from goal and after a lovely turn which left Nick Montgomery baffled the teenager rattled the far post with a swerving left-footed drive.

It was a fine effort but the visitors forged ahead in the 62nd minute thanks to a howler from Federici.

A throw on the left was played back by Quinn to Ward who chanced his arm from 25 yards with a powerful strike which was straight at the goalkeeper.

However the Australian failed to get his body behind the strike and saw the ball squirm from his grasp and spin apologetically into the net.

Cotterill then grabbed the third in stoppage time when he picked up a loose ball 30 yards out and arrowed a shot into the top corner to leave the home fans fuming.

Teams:

Reading Federici, Rosenior, Cisse (Davies 66), Mills, Pearce,Bertrand (Harper 88), Sigurdsson, Tabb, Karacan,Hunt (Church 75), Long.

Subs Not Used: Hamer, Henry, Robson-Kanu, Gunnarsson.

Goals: Mills 13.

Sheff Utd Bunn, Montgomery, Morgan, Kilgallon, Walker, Taylor,Quinn, Treacy (Cotterill 26), Ward, Evans (France 85),Henderson.

Subs Not Used: Bennett, Bromby, Reid, Sharp.

Booked: Morgan, Cotterill.

Goals: Quinn 42, Ward 62, Cotterill 90.

Att: 16,025

Ref: Mike Russell (Hertfordshire).