Having guided his side to a win, a draw and a defeat in their opening three games, Ben Dawson's side suffered a four-goal loss to a Royals' side that United beat 4-1 home and away last season.

Promoted to the starting lineup following the loan departure of Luke Charman, Magpies striker Elias Sorensen supplied two headed goals at a sunny Whitley Park inside the first 22 minutes.

Sorensen's first goal came after just seven minutes, Callum Roberts created the opening for the Dane to net from just outside the six yard box. 

His second on 22 minutes was a classic, Oliver Walters racing down the left and supplying the perfect cross for Sorensen to bullet a header home.

The Royals replied within a minute through captain Gabriel Osho before hitting United with a quick-fire double in the 32nd and 34th minutes; Ben House and Danny Loader both converting rebounds after goalkeeper Freddie Woodman had blocked the original efforts.

Having put four past the mackems in their last outing, Reading increased their lead further during first half added-time when Loader rocketed in a shot from outside the box.

By then though United had been forced into a change, Juan Cumbrera replacing the ailing Mo Sangare, who failed to shake off the effects of a heavy challenge - it's unclear whether that will affect his first senior call-up for Liberia next weekend.

A goalless second period contrasted vastly with the first but despite forcing a series of corners, United never looked like getting back on terms.

Thanks to Alan Candlish