READING FC assistant manager Andries Ulderink labelled their 2-0 defeat at AFC Wimbledon as a 'wake-up call'.

Royals were beaten for the first time in pre-season by League One Dons at Kingsmeadow on Saturday.

The visitors got off a nightmare start when they fell behind to a Dean Parrett goal with just 14 seconds on the clock.

Dom Poleon doubled the Dons' lead in the 20th minute before a fine display by keeper James Shea kept the visitors at bay for the remainder of the match.

Reflecting on a disappointing day for Jaap Stam's men, Ulderink admitted: “After ten seconds we were 1-0 down – it was a long ball from the kick-off and we were not good at that moment.

“Then I think we got some control of the game, but then again it was a long ball from the opponent and we didn’t work well, and went 2-0 down.

“For the last 15 or 20 minutes before half-time we were quite good and created some chances – but of course you have to score.

“In the second half we were in the half of the opponent and created a couple of chances.

“But maybe it is good to have a defeat in pre-season. We were all very happy how things were going, but on Saturday we saw some things that were not that good.

“So maybe it is a good wake-up call for us.”

Royals named a strong side for the trip to south-west London with Northern Ireland's Oliver Norwood and Republic of Ireland's Stephen Quinn returning from Euro 2016 action to make their first pre-season appearances.

Captain Paul McShane was also back in the heart of defence, while new signings John Swift, Joey van den Berg and Joseph Mendes were all named in the starting XI.

But Royals were caught napping at the kick-off as they failed to deal with a long ball into the box allowing Parrett to slot home.

Reading began to control possession and test Shea, but the Dons stopper was equal to Tariqe Fosu's effort.

The hosts almost nicked a second when a long-range strike from Chris Whelpdale was expertly tipped over by Ali Al Habsi.

Yet the Royals keeper was beaten a second time with 20 minutes gone when Poleon sped clear and squeezed the ball home.

Royals dominated most of the play from there, but a shot from Swift was blocked in the area before Fosu and Danny Williams also went close before the break.

Shea also came to his side's rescue once again with an excellent stop to deny van den Berg, and Royals luck was well and truly out when substitute Jack Stacey headed against the woodwork from a Jordan Obita cross.

Reading will spend the rest of this week preparing for Friday's night's home friendly against AFC Bournemouth at Madejski Stadium (8pm ko) when the likes of Garath McCleary and Roy Beerens are expected to return.

Ulderink added: “Oli got his first minutes for us, John Swift got some minutes, and Stephen Quinn had been ill this week and was able to come on.

“So it’s good to have these games and we’re looking forward to playing our first home game against Bournemouth on Friday.
“The boys who have returned need to get into the rhythm with some match-minutes.

“It was a shame that Garath McCleary had a small injury and the load for Roy Beerens had been a little bit much this week, but we hope that he will be available for the game against Bournemouth.

“So far in our away games the crowd have been very good – it is great to have them behind us in these games and hopefully we get a lot of fans to the stadium next Friday.”

AFC Wimbledon: Shea, Nightingale (Robinson 65), Kelly, Sweeney, Charles (Meades HT), Bulman, Parrett (Barcham HT), Reeves (Gallagher 65), Taylor (Elliott 65), Poleon (Fitzpatrick 65), Whelpdale (Beere 59). Unused sub: Bursik.
Goals: Parrett (1), Poleon (20).

Reading: Al-Habsi, Watson (Dickie 80), Obita, Cooper, McShane, Norwood (Evans 60), Van den Berg (Kelly 75), Williams, Fosu (Stacey 60), Swift (Quinn 60), Mendes (Rakels 60). Unused subs: Jaakkola, Tanner, Jules.