Brentford suffered yet another defeat away from home as Reading's hopes of survival gained a massive boost thanks to an early Yakou Meite brace.

Modou Barrow’s sublime pass enabled the in-form striker to drill in the opener before a Lewis Baker free-kick found him unmarked to double the lead soon after.

While Emiliano Martínez’s goalkeeping error helped Neal Maupay score his 26th goal this season in all competitions, the Bees couldn’t stage a complete comeback.

Swansea City’s drubbing at the hands of QPR means Brentford stay within two points of them, as Blackburn Rovers are just a point behind Brentford following their win at Nottingham Forest.

Championship: Reading 2 Brentford 1 - as it happened live

Henrik Dalsgaard was replaced Rico Henry in the starting 11 as Thomas Frank made just one change to the team which beat Ipswich Town 2-0 in midweek.

Following a quiet start to the game it took eight minutes for Reading to draw first blood.

Brentford’s attack broke down before Barrow’s defence-splitting pass allowed Meite to get relatively one-on-one with goalkeeper Luke Daniels and fire home.

But the provider should have become a scorer moments later when Barrow mistimed his kick just yards from goal after being teed up by Nélson Oliveira - a guilt-edge chance.

It wasn’t long until the visitors’ start went from bad to worse, when Meite got essentially what was a free header to score – grabbing his 11th and 12th goals this season.

Reading continued to test the opposition with passes over the top and urging their forwards to chase them down, putting Brentford’s back three under duress.

Shortly before Maupay scored, Said Benrahma’s corner delivery found the striker unmarked as he fired towards goal before Martínez laid claim to his effort.

Maupay would get another crack when Benrahma tested the Royals stopper from range, spilling the ball and seeing Maupay fire home.

That was the French striker’s first goal away from home in six games.

READ: Player ratings from Brentford's defeat to Reading

In the second half the Bees improved as they chased their equaliser but Reading had their own opportunities too, going close through Meite and Oliveira.

Substitute Sergi Canós, who replaced an injured Benrahma, forced a save out of Martínez as Mads Bech Sorensen’s deflected header won another corner.

While Frank’s other changes in Emiliano Marcondes and Marcus Forss spurred on a potential comeback, Brentford would lose again away from home.