Adam Federici’s first match after his FA Cup semi-final blunder saw the Australia goalkeeper on the losing side again as Reading suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Birmingham in the second-tier Championship on Wednesday.

Federici was inconsolable as he left the Wembley pitch in tears on Saturday after the biggest match of his life turned into a nightmare.

The 30-year-old had played his part in helping Reading force holders Arsenal into extra-time with several impressive saves.

But he ended up costing the Royals a chance of a memorable upset when he allowed Alexis Sanchez’s tame shot to squirm through his grasp in the final minute of the first period of extra-time, with Arsenal winning 2-1.

On Wednesday, Federici made two good saves to deny Birmingham substitute Demarai Gray.

However, he was powerless to prevent Clayton Donaldson heading in from a coner seven minutes from time to give Birmingham victory at the Madejski Stadium.

This defeat had little in the way of major consequences for Reading as any remaining threat of relegation from the Championship had been removed by Millwall’s 2-0 defeat by Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday.