Their dismal run at Carrow Road, where they have not won a league game this year, went from bad to worse as they conceded victory through an own goal.
The first goal attempt came from Norwich but Paul McVeigh's ambitious chip sailed over the bar.
Mark Rivers cut in from the right wing but his left-foot strike did not match his dribbling skills.
Nicky Shorey fired in a venomous shot that produced the first corner when it was deflected behind off a Norwich defender.
In the 22nd minute Zema Abbey got his head to Steen Nedergaard's right-wing cross but the ball cleared the bar.
A minute later Abbey just failed to make contact with Adam Drury's low left-wing cross and when play switched to the other end James Harper saw his shot hit the inside of Robert Green's left-hand post and rebound across the penalty area with no Reading player on hand to capitalise.
Just before half time Andy Hughes fired wide with only the keeper to beat.
Nicky Forster brought a good save from Green five minutes into the second half but Darren Kenton's own goal agony came in the 74th minute when he sliced Nathan Tyson's left-wing cross inside the far post.
As the minutes ticked away Reading looked well in command and on the balance of play probably deserved their slice of luck off Kenton's boot.