Leicester City's Under-18s were defeated 3-2 by Reading in an entertaining U18 Premier League South fixture at Bearwood Park Training Ground on Saturday.
Playing a third consecutive away game, City were searching for their first points of the new campaign, following reverses against Aston Villa and Norwich City.
After a goalless opening, the home side struck right on the cusp of half-time, with Nahum Melvin-Lambert breaking the deadlock and sending the Royals in at the break with a slender lead.
The young Foxes hit back 10 minutes after the interval via Welsh forward Will Russ, who was picked out by Ethan Fitzhugh to score his second goal in as many games.
Having combined with Melvin-Lambert for the first goal, Jahmari Clarke then found the net himself to put Reading back into the driving seat.
The visitors refused to lay down and levelled the scores once again on 78 minutes when Kian Pennant netted his first of the season, assisted by Tawanda Maswanhise.
Leicester's parity was short lived, however, as the Royals went straight up the other end to score the fifth and final goal of a topsy-turvy contest.
Melvin-Lambert grabbed his second of the game to earn three points for the home side and leave Leicester without in a win from their opening three matches.
Next up, City travel to face Southampton at Staplewood Training Ground on Saturday 17 October (12pm BST kick-off).
The details
City: Doherty; Kutshitnza, Obi, Grant, Godsmark-Ford (James 70'); Cover, K. Pennant, Booth (Butterfill 85'), T. Pennant; Russ (Maswanhise 75'), Fitzhugh.
Subs not used: Daley, Yfeko.
Goals: Russ 55', K. Pennant 78'
