Reading 1-2 Preston: Brian McDermott and Simon Grayson reaction
Saturday 30 April 2016 18:55, UK
Preston manager Simon Grayson praised his players for maintaining their hunger as the Sky Bet Championship campaign draws to a close.
A polished display at the Madejski Stadium and a late winner from Dan Johnson secured Preston a 2-1 victory at Reading, a first win in six matches.
"The lads showed today that they're not on their holidays," Grayson said. "We're making sure we finish the season in a positive manner and get as many points as possible.
"A lot of teams would maybe have settled for a 1-1 draw here. But we keep challenging the players and they've shown again that they've got a fantastic spirit for each other and the club.
"Our attacking play today was probably as good as it has been all season. We played exceptionally well and how we never came in at half-time in front is quite a mystery. We needed to be a little more ruthless.
"We got into some great positions but just didn't finish the game off. We were pleased with how we played and knew we had to go again in the second half. Maybe a lot of teams would have settled for 1-1 but we keep asking the players for more."
Preston dominated the first half but were denied by a series of fine saves from home goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi, who kept out efforts from Calum Woods, Joe Garner, Jermaine Beckford and Johnson.
Reading improved after the break, with the introduction of 17-year-old midfielder Josh Barrett, but Preston went in front in the 56th minute when Beckford took advantage of hesitation between Al Habsi and defender Paul McShane to lob into the empty net.
Reading fought back to equalise with four minutes remaining, when Stephen Quinn drilled home his first goal for the club, but Johnson neatly despatched a 91st-minute winner from Adam Reach's cross.
"If you get back to 1-1, you don't expect to lose that late in the game," Reading manager Brian McDermott said.
"I put Josh [Barrett] on and I thought he acquitted himself really well. He created some good moments for us. He's only 17 but he took to it straight away, he thrived in the environment, was brave on the ball and made things happen.
"It's just a shame we've lost that game. That's what's meant to be at this moment in time for us. You have to take that.
"Walking round that pitch [on a lap of honour] is never good when you've just lost a game that late and also where we've ended up in the league. But I've been in this situation before in 2004-05, when we walked around the pitch at Wigan. But the following season, we won the league. So that's what I hang on to.
"We were poor in the first half. We lacked energy, we didn't get going. As far as in the dressing room, it was like there was a malaise around the place. You can't just kick start a game. You have to start well and we didn't. We've had a bad day today."
