The Royals’ Jack Marriott and Jeriel Dorsett had cancelled out Browne’s first two goals but his third won the match for Johnnie Jackson’s hosts.

Victory saw the Dons achieve back-to-back wins and with it a first home league victory since September.

They had not even scored a home league goal since late November until Browne struck after seven minutes. Joel Pereira could not hold Junior Nkeng’s angled shot and Browne bundled home.

Reading equalised in the 33rd minute as Marriott received Kamari Doyle’s pass and beat Bishop from a tight angle.

The hosts re-took the lead in the 52nd minute, as Pereira spilled Isaac Ogundere’s deflected cross and Omar Bugiel squared for Browne to score again.

Reading equalised again in the 65th minute. Paudie O’Connor’s flick-on at a corner fell for Dorsett to head in from close range.

Six minutes later, Browne completed his hat-trick and grabbed the winner, as he received Callum Maycock’s pass and guided a shot into the bottom corner.