You could forgive yourself for feeling like this was a re-run of so many Rovers games this season, another one goal defeat in which they spent the vast majority of it in possession.

Undone by a goal of their own making once again, this time scored by George Puscas punishing a Harvey Elliott error, Rovers then spent the rest of the game trying to recover from that without success.

That worrying pattern is becoming all too predictable, as was some of their attacking play, this now a sixth defeat in their last seven matches, and an inevitability to the one this was heading from quite a way out.

Another opposition who had to do very little to see off Rovers who for all their approach play, continue to lack a cutting edge.

No damage was done in terms of league position for Rovers, still 15th, but the fact that is now even a consideration shows how much the slump has set in.

Reading scored inside 10 seconds in the Ewood meeting, inflicting the worst possible start on Aynsley Pears on his Rovers debut in September. Thomas Kaminski is now back between the sticks for Rovers, and he needed to be at his best to deny the hosts another early goal. Reading got in too easily down the Rovers right, Andy Yiadom’s cross headed towards goal at the near post by the Puscas, the Belgian at full stretch to tip over the bar.

Alfa Semedo was then in the action, booked for a very poor tackle on Brereton, before evading two attempted Rovers challenges soon after, Kaminski comfortably saving.

That wasn’t the case from when George Puscas attempted to catch him off his line from 50 yards out in the 16th minute on the turnover of play, the Belgian scrambling back towards his goal, and relieved to see the ball land on the roof of the net.

Puscas then had a chance from much nearer in, one he couldn’t really miss, punishing Harvey Elliott’s mistake 25 minutes in. Elliott, backed up by his marker, looked in trouble from the moment he was forced back towards his own goal, eventually losing the ball and from that, Rovers were wide open. Lucas Joao squared for the unmarked Puscas to apply the finish.

That was an opportunity gift-wrapped by Rovers who were having to work much harder for their opportunities, though the spaces that were opening up weren’t taken advantage of courtesy of a lack of care in possession.

While the chances were coming for the hosts, the ball was being dominated by Rovers who predictably, but frustratingly saw a succession of attacks break down, without a shot on goal.

Brereton was leading the search for an equaliser, powering through two challenges before firing wide of the target, while three minutes before the break he had Rovers’ first shot on target, running across the edge of the box before a low shot forced Rafael Cabral to scamper across to his left to hold.

By the break, Rovers had racked up 63 per cent possession, their play undermined by the error as well as a lack of penetration around the opposition box. That was summed up by a 52nd minute booking for Amari’i Bell, pulling back Ovie Ejaria on halfway, while only seconds before Rovers had a corner.

Armstrong had been well shackled, but he dropped off to try and link the play with Brereton, the ball eventually dropping his way on the edge of the box, a left foot shot deflecting narrowly wide.

Bradley Dack and Stewart Downing were sent on, the latter ballooning a free kick over from a promising position, as Rovers’ wait for a clear-cut opening to go with their possession went on.

Kaminski lost his bearings, penalised for handling outside his area, one of the few times he was actually required to be in his box with much of the play at the other end.

Lenihan nodded wide a Downing delivery, but it was Brereton who was continuing to look the most likely for Rovers. His driving run in from the left, with 10 minutes remaining, saw a low shot saved by Cabral, Nyambe unable to force home the follow-up.

Substitutes Dack and Dolan then linked up, the winger trying an ambitious effort with the outside of his right boot, Cabral able to watch that over.

The final chance came from Armstrong, the striker getting across his marker to meet a Barry Douglas cross, but as that flashed wide, the scene set on another Rovers defeat.