THE Clarets crashed to another heavy home defeat in a dramatic match at Turf Moor, going down 5-2 to Reading.
Having gone three behind to a goal from Steve Sidwell and a John Salako brace, Ian Moore gave hope of a comeback with a goal in the 55th minute. But the key moment came when sub Dimitri Papadopoulos saw his penalty saved after Adie Williams handled Gareth Taylor's shot.
Minutes later Sidwell netted his second after Marlon Beresford had conceded and then saved a penalty to complete a miserable afternoon for the home fans.
Darius Henderson and Dean West traded goals in stoppage time but another damaging defeat was the result as the play-off dream slips away.
In the first half a controversial goal gave Reading the lead at Turf Moor. The assistant referee ruled Paul Cook had failed to keep the ball in after a tackle and from the throw Ricky Newman put Steve Sidwell through and he scored past Marlon Beresford.
It had been an even half with few clear chances, even after Glen Little was introduced as an early sub for Mark McGregor.
But there was no doubt about the second as John Salako curled home a beauty in the 45th minute.
Clarets boss Stan Ternent opted to make just the one enforced change to the side that beat Brentford 3-0 last Saturday, Mark McGregor coming in for suspended Graham Branch at left back.
That meant a place on the bench for Glen Little after his recent back injury.
FULL TIME: BURNLEY 2 READING 5
Burnley
Beresford
West Diallo Gnohere McGregor
Grant Cook Briscoe
I Moore Blake Taylor
Reading
Hahnemann
Murty Williams Brown Shorey
Newman Sidwell Harper Salako
Hughes
Forster
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