Notts County kicked off wearing their second choice orange strip, black stripes obvilously clashing with blue hoops.
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Caskey won an early free-kick which the goalkeeper did well to get behind.
Reading won an early corner after Garden appeared to keep the ball in play but the keeper gathered it easily.
After 8 minutes Rougier was booked for a fierce late challenge on Nicky Fenton. Cas and Allsopp were unable to connect with the resulting free-kick as it flew across the box.
Booking: Rougier
Moments later Caskey spotted the Reading keeper off his line and tried to beat him from long range with a clever chip.
Reading began to pile on the pressure but the Magpies defence restricted them to a few long range shots.
Goal: Liburd, 18 minutes
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Seconds later Cas hit the post when it would have been easier to score.
Reading hit back immediately with Andy Hughes heading over the bar from eight yards.
Caskey was booked after 22 minutes after a nasty lunge on a Reading player.
Booking: Caskey
Own Goal: Garden, 23 minutes
Reading were able to put in a dangerous cross which Nicky Forster was able to connect with. The ball hit the bar and bounced in to the net off the diving Stuart Garden's legs.
There were danger signs for Notts as they were forced to defend more deeply with Reading enjoying the majority of possession as the game headed towards half-time.
With 13 minutes to go, Caskey lost possession and Rougier put in a great ball to Salako but play was pulled back for a Reading free-kick. Cas cleared for Notts.
Danny Allsopp was putting in his best performance in weeks but his finishing was woeful as he put a shot 10 yards wide.
Notts were under increased pressure. Tony Rougier managed to slip past three Notts defenders but his weak shot was saved by Garden.
7 minutes before the break Andy Hughes' half-hearted appeals for a penalty were turned away as Ian Baraclough appeared to stamp on his ankle.
A minute later a quickly taken free-kick by Caskey almost caught Roberts off-guard as he was trying to organise his wall.
Reading were looking dominant as the game headed towards half-time but the defence looked capable of holding out to go in level of half-time.
Mark Warren was booked on 44 minutes after a wild late challenge on Tony Rougier.
Booking: Warren
Half-time: Reading 1, Notts County 1
Notts were excellent in the first-half as their excellent away form continues to puzzle manager Billy Dearden. The central defence looks solid with Fenton managing to make dangerous forays down the right.
The midfield is showing a lot of creativity although Darren Caskey does tend to lose the ball too often.
Danny Allsopp is looking very lively up front though his finishing is still woeful. County had an amazing 9 shots in the first 45 minutes.
All-in-all a good first-half performance for the Magpies who could have been 2-0 up had Cas not wasted an excellent opportunity.
However, Notts fans are getting used to Jekyll and Hyde performances this season and we can only hope that the defence do not repeat last week's mistakes immediately after half-time.
The second half began with Notts looking to capitalize on a solid first-half performance. One good win could make all the difference to their season.
The defence began to look shaky with confusion between Baraclough and Garden almost letting in the Reading strikers.
Garden was forced to save from Rougier after Andy Hughes had taken a quick throw-in.
A minute later it ws the lively Hughes who hit a snapshot over the bar when he had time to control the ball.
Reading began to exert more pressure as Hughes and Salako began to dominate the midfield but the Notts back-line was looking solid.
After 13 minutes of the half, Danny Allsopp controlled the ball brilliantly on his chest and was about to pull the trigger as a Reading defender put in a brilliant challenge. Allsopp stayed down as the 150 travelling Notts fans appealed for a penalty.
Notts continued to push forward and Mark Stallard created a chance for Marcel Cas but his shot was easily saved.
A minute later Salako found himself unmarked 8 yards from the County goal but the experienced midfielder put his shot wide.
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Liburd and Richardson were beginning to domiante the midfield but Darren Caskey's distribution was awful and he was frequently giving the ball away.
Substitution: Henderson for the lively Rougier.
Notts began to take the initiative as the Magpies midfield continuing to dominate.
Substitution: Cureton for Gamble
Substitution: Owers for Fenton (injured)
Booking: Murty
Liburd won a free-kick taken by Caskey. Ireland met the cross perfectly but Roberts made a great point-blank save.
Incredibly Notts were outplaying the league leaders who were unbeaten in 11 games. If only they could get the clinching goal.
Substitution Hackworth for the excellent Stallard
Substitution: Smith for Hughes
Notts won a corner which Allsopp did well to meet but he could not control his header and the ball went over the bar. A couple of half chances were created as the Magpies continued to dominate.
Reading came back in to the game in the last few minutes. Notts were forced on to the back foot as Reading won a corner as 3 minutes of injury time were indicated by the 4th official.
Goal: Cureton, 90 minutes
The Royals wasted the chance but scored a few minutes later as Jamie Cureton banged the ball back in off the post following a header.
Full-time: Reading 2, Notts County 1
There's no justice! Notts went head-to-head against the league leaders and created enough chances to win the game. County now have to go in to next weeks game against Stoke having lost 6 on the trot.