Derby County fell to a 1-0 defeat away at Reading on Tuesday evening in Sky Bet League One.
A second half goal from Paul Mukairu was enough to cement all three points for the Royals as the Rams tasted defeat on the road since October.
The hosts started brightly and had a half-chance in the opening five minutes when Femi Azeez got down the right before skewing his effort high and wide.
Derby's first chance of the evening went the way of Nathaniel Mendez-Laing when a half-cleared ball fell kindly to him on the edge of the area, but his first time effort went just over David Button's crossbar.
Reading were inches away from taking the lead soon afterwards. Some neat interplay saw captain Andy Yiadom work a yard for himself inside the area before his low effort rattled the inside of the post and rebounded into the arms of goalkeeper Josh Vickers.
The Royals continued to have the better of the first-half with Sam Smith going close after he flicked Charlie Savage's corner over the bar.
Azeez went close for a second time when his effort from 20-yards out stung the palms of Vickers before Mukairu got hold of the recycled ball and fired over a great chance from close range.
Up the other end, it was Derby's turn to hit the post through Conor Hourihane. Callum Elder did brilliantly down the left to pick out Hourihane who was unmarked just outside of the box and the skipper let fly, but his effort clipped the outside of the post and rolled behind for a goal-kick.
The Rams started the better after the break but found themselves behind after 54 minutes through Mukairu. Azeez got beyond his man down the right and unleashed an effort that cannoned back off the post and into the path of Mukairu, who made no mistake from close range with the rebound.
Derby looked for an instant response and nearly got one through Mendez-Laing. Liam Thompson did well to take down a pass from Vickers and played in the winger, who dragged his effort just wide from inside the area.
Substitute Tyreece John-Jules was agonisingly close to equalising with his first touch following his introduction when he headed a Hourihane cross inches wide as the Rams continued to search for a response.
Another substitute, debutant Corey Blackett-Taylor, then went close after getting the better of his man down the left before cutting inside and firing just wide from inside the area.
Five additional minutes were signalled and the Rams were down to 10 due to John-Jules being forced off through injury in the final stages.
For all the Rams' efforts, the man advantage enabled the hosts to see the game out in relatively comfortable fashion and ensure Derby tasted defeat for the first time on the road since October.
Reading: Button (GK), Holmes, Knibbs, Savage, Smith (88' McIntyre), Azeez (88' Ehibhatiomhan), Mukairu, Yiadom (C) (65' Mbengue), Dorsett (79' Mola), Bindon, Wing (79' Craig).
Substitutes not used: Pereira (GK), Vickers.
Derby County: Vickers (GK), Wilson (79' Ward), Hourihane (C) (79' Bradley), Cashin, Barkhuizen (63' Blackett-Taylor) , Bird, Collins (63' John-Jules), Mendez-Laing, Thompson (63' Sibley), Elder, Nelson.
Substitutes not used: Wildsmith (GK), Robinson.
The Rams return to Pride Park Stadium on Saturday when they take on Cheltenham Town in Sky Bet League One action (3pm kick-off).
