New Bolton head coach Steven Schumacher got off to a disappointing start as his Sky Bet League One play-off hopefuls fell to a dramatic late 1-0 defeat at Reading.

Leading marksman Aaron Collins had Bolton’s best openings throughout a lively encounter, but he failed to take his chances and Wanderers were sunk by an 89th-minute penalty from Harvey Knibbs.

Schumacher replaced departed long-serving manager Ian Evatt this week and took over after interim boss Julian Darby had led Bolton to successive wins over Huddersfield Town and Northampton.

Collins fired narrowly wide and another was safely caught by Reading goalkeeper Joel Pereira before the forward saw a fierce third effort well saved.

Reading had created little of note going forward but almost took the lead early in the second period.

After a chaotic scramble in the Bolton area, and with the ball about to trickle over the goal line, George Thomason made a superb last-ditch clearance.

Bolton swiftly replied, with Josh Sheehan thundering an angled 20-yard free kick against the home crossbar.

Collins should have made the breakthrough near the end in a one-on-one with Pereira, but he drove wide.

And after Wanderers substitute Kion Etete was adjudged to have handled a late Lewis Wing free-kick in the penalty area, Knibbs slotted home the spot-kick for his 11th goal of the season.