Reading secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Milton Keynes Dons in a tightly contested English Football League Trophy group stage match on October 8, 2025. The solitary goal at the Select Car Leasing Stadium was enough for Reading to claim three crucial points and keep their knockout stage hopes alive. In a game of few clear-cut chances, Reading's decisive moment came in the second half, and they defended resolutely thereafter to see out the win. The defeat was another setback for MK Dons in a difficult group campaign, leaving them with a mountain to climb to qualify. The match highlighted the importance of taking limited opportunities in a competition where every point is vital for progression.