Reading lost just three of their final 19 games of the season but it was not enough to claim a play-off place
Reading fell at the final hurdle in their gallant bid to reach the League One play-offs as they lost 4-2 at home to Barnsley.
The Royals had needed to better Leyton Orient's result on the last day of the season to creep into the top six.
But the defeat – and Orient's 4-1 win at Huddersfield – meant it was the Londoners who finished sixth and took the final play-off slot.
A scrappy first half at the SCL Stadium finished goalless, but the visitors took a stranglehold on the game with goals from Stephen Humphrys and Jon Russell in a five-minute spell soon after the interval.
Lewis Wing reduced the deficit after 67 minutes, but Barnsley's Davis Keillor-Dunn struck in the 79th and 85th minutes – taking his goal tally to 19 this season – to compound the hosts' misery.
Billy Bodin's late goal proved a mere consolation for the Royals on a day when their long-running takeover saga was finally ended.
With prospective new owner Rob Couhig watching from the directors' box, Reading made a positive start through two early efforts from Wing.
Barnsley goalkeeper Joe Gauci made a fine save from Wing's low drive, then could only look on as the midfielder's 20-yard free-kick drifted narrowly wide.
The Tykes broke quickly when allowed, with home keeper Joel Pereira having to make a smart stop to deny Barry Cotter.
The Royals' attacking threat became increasingly ragged and, with Orient leading 2-1 at Huddersfield at half-time, their play-off chances began to look remote.
Those chances seemed non-existent when Barnsley struck twice, Humphrys guiding home from a tight angle in the 52nd minute and Russell doing similar in the 57th minute from a low Cotter cross.
Wing gave Reading hope, tucking home neatly after poor Tykes defensive work, but Keillor-Dunn pounced twice from close range to effectively settle the issue.
Despite substitute Bodin's added-time effort, Reading's brave campaign ended on an unhappy note.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
