The Royals Academy lost their first match of the season as Bolton Wanderers edged a five-goal thriller.
Unbeaten League leaders Bolton made the trip to Hogwood Park to take on Eamonn Dolan's side - who have also made a bright start to the campaign.
Reading's youngsters got off to an excellent start when Josh Shama put the hosts infront, before Bolton's Zach Clough scored an impressive individual goal to level.
The Royals took control of the match after the break and restored their lead when Uche Ikpeazu notched his fourth of the season on the hour mark.
But the visitors hit back again, and were stung by a George Iliev bicycle-kick, before Wanderers striker Elliot Newby snatched the winner.
The under-18s could count themselves unlucky - but with 12 goals in five matches, plenty of positives can be taken.
Reading: Moore, Long, Griffin, Kelly, Keown, Hyam, Stacey, Tshibola (Murombedzi 70), Ikpeazu, Shama, Fosu-Henry.
Subs not used: Lincoln, Jenkinson, Amofah, Taylor-Crossdale.
Bolton: Sievers, Matthews, Hendrie, Holding, Maher, Woodland, Youngs, Bailey, Clough, Iliev, Newby.