Town boss Joe Royle bemoaned his side's lack of shots after the Blues drew 1-1 with Reading at the Madejski Stadium. Royle felt that Town ought to have taken three points back to Suffolk.

Royle said: “We are shot-shy at the moment — which is strange for a side who are leading scorers in this league.

“If we were firing on all cylinders we would have won this game.

“I am disappointed because we have only got one point from a game I think we should have won.

“Having said that we went a goal down and after you go a goal behind you end up being happy to take a point.

“Technically we played well but it didn't look as if we had a goal in us.

“It was a good opportunity for us as Reading were missing their two best players.”

The Town boss praised scorer John McGreal in particular: “Two months ago his career was in doubt after a string of injuries.

“He has had two serious knee injures and a couple of operations so for him to come back as he has is excellent.”

Royals' boss Steve Coppell was pleased with a point against a Town side he clearly rates highly: "It was tight and we might have edged it.

"They had more possession than us and in midfield they're very cultured and composed. With Bart- Williams, Magilton and Wright they're a bit more comfortable in possession.

"They've got Premiership pedigree but we had more chances. We were more incisive on occasions our and goal portrayed that.

"We went from the goalkeeper to the back of their net in a short space of time and it was fabulous. It was great from all concerned.

"We had our noses in front and I thought we were going to hang on. The way the goal against us went in didn't make us feel good about losing the points. You can appreciate a quality goal but it was scrappy, it took a couple of deflections in the box and it was disappointing.

"Only time will tell if it's a point gained or two points lost. They're a quality side and see themselves as being Premiership material. You can't argue with that.

"For us it's a point which is good but we need the boost of a win. That will jump-start the second half of a campaign which has stalled at home."

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