Boss Jim Magilton pledged to give new striker Jon Stead his "undying love” if the frontman continues to score goals like his debut strike in the 2-0 victory over Reading. Both managers felt Richard Wright's early save from Jimmy Kebe had a bearing on how the game went.

Magilton says he has confidence that Stead can return to the form of his early career with the Blues: "I've got a lot of faith in the boy.

"He needs to be loved a little bit more. If he keeps playing and scoring goals like that, I'll give him my undying love.

"We can't get carried away. It's one game but he can be very pleased with his performance. The players deserve tremendous credit for the way they went about their business today.

"We were a bit nervy at the start, which can be expected, but once we settled down and started to play, we caused them problems.

"Pablo was unlucky in the first half with two efforts against the bar and it looked a game where the first goal was going to be vital. They often are at this level and it was a terrific strike from Jon Stead.

"It was a big save from Richard Wright early on when their lad went through and they had one of two bits and pieces around our goal, but we worked hard throughout the team and deserved the three points in the end against a very good side.

"I don't like picking out individuals but Jon Walters showed some courage to take a knock like he did and then race back on the pitch as quick as he could after getting patched up. He was typical of the performance from the team and beating a team like Reading tells me that on our day we can match any team in this league.

"I thought we played very well but probably rode our luck a bit a times. All in all, I think we showed great resolve and great character and deserved to win the game.

"It was a big win for us, a win we needed. It was vital that we got up and running at home and I think the two-week break helped us. We've done a lot of work on the training ground and got our rewards. It sets us up for Southampton now on Wednesday.

Reading boss Steve Coppell also felt Wright's early save was key: "It makes a big difference. The team that scores first more often than not normally goes on [to win].

"As it was, we still had opportunities in the first half, as did they. The first goal at that stage was going to be decisive.

"I'm obviously very disappointed. It breaks my heart to see Reading fans leave before the end.

"I'd say today we were done. The first goal was critical. We'd created good early opportunities and if we'd taken one it was going to be a different game. It could have been 2-2 at half-time, it was so open.

"At half-time we wanted to up our game, they got the critical goal and then had more control. We got more desperate and our desperation to score gave us major problems in the last five minutes.

"It was similar to the Charlton game, we seemed to be OK creating chances but not good taking them. We're porous at the back, we've got to look at that and deal with it.

"Right now we're taking one step forward and one back. That's no good to get out of this division.

"Not many players can say they played well. That's happened a couple of times now and it's a concern.

"Yes, we had players away this week, but we looked like strangers with some of our passing. We've got to be better.

"I think there will be changes now. I don't know who, but there will be changes for Tuesday."

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