Reading gave Mark Bowen his first three points as manager through a last-minute winner against a high flying Preston from Matt Miazga.
The American, on loan from Chelsea, scored a 98th minute half volley from inside the box after Declan Rudd parried a long shot from Jordan Obita, which fell straight to Miazga to poke home to give Reading all three points.
Besides the goal, both teams had chances with Reading having the better of them. George Puscas came close to scoring twice in the first half, as he put a half volley from the left-hand side wide, and just could not quite get to a cross from Pele and put it over the bar. John Swift had a free-kick saved by goalkeeper Rudd, and Ovie Ejaria had a shot put wide from the edge of the six-yard box after a low cross from Andy Yiadom.
Preston became more of a threat in the second half; however, they could not do quite enough to score. Their best chances came from headers, one in the first half from Tom Barkhuizen, the other in the second half from veteran David Nugent, both shot straight at Reading goalkeeper Rafael.
Mark Bowen's three points in his first game in charge of Reading (following his appointment last week) take his side up to 19th in the table, meanwhile Preston fall to sixth.
Reading's next game is on Tuesday night away at fellow hoops Queen's Park Rangers, while Preston takes on Leeds at Deepdale.