Reading slipped to their sixth straight league defeat in a 2-0 loss to fellow strugglers Bolton Wanderers at the Madejski Stadium.

Goals in each half by Kevin Nolan and Heidar Helguson, making a rare start for the visitors up front, secured the points which pulled them clear of their hosts, who now hover perilously above the relegation zone in the Premier League.

After a bright start to the match, Reading lost control of the game midway through the first half. Having struggled for possession, Bolton suddenly came to life after 21 minutes, as Helguson missed a good headed chance from a Matt Taylor corner.

Two minutes later the visitors had an even better opportunity to take the lead when recent Bolton signing Gretar Steinsson was fouled by Reading's full debutant Marek Matejovsky just inside the hosts' penalty area.

Taylor, another transfer window singing, had the chance to score his first goal for his new club from the spot but his powerful penalty was saved by Marcus Hahnemann, who dived low to his left to parry.

Bolton came desperately close again five minutes later as Reading defender Ivar Ingimarsson almost headed into his own net. Only a lucky deflection off Nolan prevented the ball crossing the line.

The opening goal wasn't long in coming though, as the familiar Bolton tactic of playing the ball long to Kevin Davies' head paid dividends.

A free-kick from goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen was flicked on by Davies on the right side of the Reading area, picking out an unmarked Nolan on the opposite side of the box. With the goal at his mercy, the Bolton skipper calmly slotted the ball past Hahnemann into the bottom right corner.

Reading lost their way completely in the remainder of the first half, and were fortuitous to go in just one behind at the break as Taylor passed up a decent headed chance on 42 minutes.

Steve Coppell must have ripped into his players at the break, as his side came charging out of the blocks in the second period. Bolton's Gary Cahill, another man making his debut, had to make a perfectly timed tackle on Leroy Lita as the former England under-21 striker ran in on goal after 48 minutes.

Taylor then partially made up for his missed penalty with a goal-line clearance after a near-post flick from a Nicky Shorey corner looked destined to haul Reading level.

Two goalmouth scrambles inside the Bolton area followed, but all Reading's hard work was undone as they were caught out on the break just before the hour mark.

It was Helguson who slotted his side's second after a Taylor shot had deflected kindly into his path inside the area. Reading appealed for offside, but the linesman rightly waved the appeals away.

Reading huffed and puffed in the remaining half an hour as they looked to bring themselves back into things, but bringing on Shane Long and Jon Oster in place of attackers Dave Kitson and Lita made no difference to their fortunes.

Chances came and went for Stephen Hunt and Nicky Shorey, whose 25-yard free kick was brilliantly tipped wide by Jaaskelainen, as the Bolton defence stood firm.

The result leaves the Royals just one point and one place above the relegation zone, while Bolton sit three points ahead of them in 13th.

Ben Phillips / Eurosport