The Hammers ended the game with only 9 men after seeing Joey O’Brien and Jack Collision sent off.
The game looked rather even until just after the hour mark when O’Brien was given his marching orders for bringing down Jobi McAnuff.
The Royals made their man advantage count and took the lead through Alex Pearce almost immediately. The Hammers then tried to chase the game and were undone again when Reading broke free and Simon Church scored to make it 2-0.
To compound the Hammers misery Jack Collision was sent-off for violent conduct after some poor sportsmanship from Reading’s Jimmy Kebe.
A late third goal from Church then rubbed salt into the Hammers wounds.