Slough's FA Cup dreams came to an end at Elm Park — but they were in no way disgraced.
They put Reading under considerable pressure at the end, but the division three side ultimately proved too strong for their Conference rivals.
Tony Dell was drafted in for the injured Paul McKinnon, with Steve Whitby replacing Phil Stacey, and Tony Knight and Neal Stanley on the bench.
For Reading, young goalkeeper Danny Honey lined up for his first team debut and player manager Mark McGee was replaced by Stuart Lovell.
Colin Fielder had an early free kick saved by Honey but after only six minutes Slough were outflanked by Reading and Adrian Williams hit home a Steve Richardson cross.
Reading dominated much of the first half but Slough had a number of chances to cross in decent balls. All they could do was hit them into Honey's arms.
After Chris Seymour replaced the stretchered off Mark Holzman, Reading began to push up in earnest, and Stuart Lovell made it 2-0 sweeping home Williams' half stopped header.
In the latter stages of the half Reading found a number of holes in Slough's defence and went close to increasing their lead.
At the start of the second half Bunting made a fine save to deny Gilkes at the far post.
Neal Stanley replaced Gary Donellan with Thompson pushing into midfield but Slough were lightweight up front and Reading created the chances.
Bunting again saved well to push over Gilkes' shot.
Slough's best effort of the game until this point was a Pluckrose shot well saved by Honey after 66 minutes.
As the half wore on it was Slough who began to dominate and the Rebels found themselves taking control of midfield. Colin Fielder had a shot well saved as they began to find some width.
After 87 minutes following a half cleared corner Francis Joseph poked home a loose ball for a deserved goal... but this time there was to be no fairy tale second and it is Reading who travel to Peterborough in the second round.
They put Reading under considerable pressure at the end, but the division three side ultimately proved too strong for their Conference rivals.
Tony Dell was drafted in for the injured Paul McKinnon, with Steve Whitby replacing Phil Stacey, and Tony Knight and Neal Stanley on the bench.
For Reading, young goalkeeper Danny Honey lined up for his first team debut and player manager Mark McGee was replaced by Stuart Lovell.
Colin Fielder had an early free kick saved by Honey but after only six minutes Slough were outflanked by Reading and Adrian Williams hit home a Steve Richardson cross.
Reading dominated much of the first half but Slough had a number of chances to cross in decent balls. All they could do was hit them into Honey's arms.
After Chris Seymour replaced the stretchered off Mark Holzman, Reading began to push up in earnest, and Stuart Lovell made it 2-0 sweeping home Williams' half stopped header.
In the latter stages of the half Reading found a number of holes in Slough's defence and went close to increasing their lead.
At the start of the second half Bunting made a fine save to deny Gilkes at the far post.
Neal Stanley replaced Gary Donellan with Thompson pushing into midfield but Slough were lightweight up front and Reading created the chances.
Bunting again saved well to push over Gilkes' shot.
Slough's best effort of the game until this point was a Pluckrose shot well saved by Honey after 66 minutes.
As the half wore on it was Slough who began to dominate and the Rebels found themselves taking control of midfield. Colin Fielder had a shot well saved as they began to find some width.
After 87 minutes following a half cleared corner Francis Joseph poked home a loose ball for a deserved goal... but this time there was to be no fairy tale second and it is Reading who travel to Peterborough in the second round.
Slough Town Line Up
- 1 Trevor Bunting
- 2 Steve Whitby
- 3 Alan Pluckrose
- 4 Mark Hill
- 5 Darren Anderson
- 6 Gary Donnellan 12
- 7 Colin Fielder
- 8 Tony Dell
- 9 Francis Joseph
- 10 Steve Thompson
- 11 Mark Mallinson
Substitutes
- 12 Neal Stanley 6
- 14 Tony Knight