Preston North End failed to end the season on a high after suffering a 4-1 defeat to Reading at the Madejski Stadium.

The win means North End finish the season in 17th position on 54 points, seven points ahead of the relegation zone and 16 off the play-offs.

The Royals on the other hand finished the season strongly ending their campaign on 63 points which saw them creep into ninth position.

Overall the Lilywhite's fans will look at the season as one of change but also have a feeling of optimism for next season where the managerial staff will be able to fully stamp down their authority.

Today's game also marked the return of goalkeeper Wayne Henderson who was making his first league start since playing against Colchester on 25th August 2007.

And despite conceeding four the Irish shot-stopper had a great game producing a string of fine saves to keep Reading from strengthening their lead.

Reading opened the scoring on 12 minutes courtesy of a Jimmy Kebe solo effort before left winger Jobi McAnuff doubled their advantage five minutes later.

Ross Wallace restored hope for the Whites 15 minutes after the restart but Gylfi Sigurdsson and Simon Church rubbed salt in the Preston wounds to seal the victory.

Another dampener on the afternoon was seeing Barry Nicholson, who was making his league return after being sidelined for over eight months, limp off on the 15 minute mark with a suspected relapse on his injured leg.

It will be extremely frustrating for the Scottish central-midfield player who has worked so hard over the last few weeks to regain his fitness.

Following the game it was made clear that he has opened up his fracture but not to the same extent as previously so it will be a set back in his road to recovery.

The game started with both sides looking to get a foot-hold in the match and it was Reading who struck first after Kebe was the quickest to pounce on a loose ball before cutting inside and firing a low drive past an helpless Henderson in goal.

And whilst Preston were still dealing with the re-shuffle, after Jon Parkin had come on for the injured Nicholson, Reading doubled their lead. This time McAnuff weaved his way into the box before curling a right footed effort into the bottom corner of goal.

The double in quick succession knocked the wind out of the Lilywhite's sails and it took them time before they created chances of their own.

In the mean time Henderson, who sent a message out to the injured Lonergan, pulled off a world class double save to deny Sigurdsson and then the following up Kebe. Kebe's second was later ruled to be offisde but at the time the Irish keeper was unaware.

Following the half hour mark and Preston started to make an impression on the game with an array of attempts that could have reduced the host's lead.

First Danny Mayor was put clean through by Parkin, but the youngster chose to square the ball instead of shoot. Five minutes later and fellow youngster Matty James could only volley into the arms of Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici.

Ten minutes before the interval and substitute Parkin produced a moment of class, spinning the Reading defence before squaring the ball but fellow frontman Chris Borwn who wasn't on the same wave length thinking his teammate would go it alone.

After the break and both sides created chances to find the back of the net but the best chance fell to Wallace who raced clear from the half-way line but struck the outside of the post with his cross goal attempt that had the Reading keeper comfortably beaten.

Refusing to let his head drop the Scottish international fired Preston back into the game on 64 minutes when the winger unleashed a spectacular 35 yard free-kick that sailed into the top corner leaving the keeper glued to his spot.

However, Preston's hope of drawing level was short lived when Reading's top scorer, who has bagged 20 for the season, Siggurdson found time in the North End area to fire home on 72 minutes.

Despite falling further behind the Lilywhite's fans, kitted out in fancy dress, remained up-beat and even found time to do a Conga around the Madejski terraces.

And Reading added insult to injury deep into stoppage time when substitute Church let go an unstoppable drive to put the icing on the cake for the home outfit.

It will be a day North End fans would rather forget but the introduction of youth sensation Jamie Proctor, who came on with ten minutes to go, will let the travelling hords go home with something to smile about.

The youngster had one goal bound effort but he couldn't quite get enough power behind his shot to trouble Federici.

Next season will be one all the fans look ahead to and Ferguson has hinted there will be plenty of comings and goings ove the summer to keep everyone on their toes.

So for PNE it will be a game to forget but the Lilywhite's fans should be looking forward to an array of new players and exciting play to look forward to next campaign.