Reading v Ipswich: Blues boss Mick McCarthy was quick to forgive David McGoldrick after the striker’s mistake proved costly in a fine-margin 1-0 defeat at Reading.

McGoldrick – making his first competitive start since requiring knee surgery back in mid-February – was slow to get out of the area after a corner was cleared, he then misjudged the return ball as Jake Taylor nipped in to net what proved to be the game’s decisive goal in the 26th minute.

In a game of few chances, Reading created little, while Town’s only real threat came from set-pieces. McGoldrick saw an inventive effort cleared off the line in the 10th minute, while Tyrone Mings’ powerful header was diverted onto the bar by goalline defender Shaun Cummings in stoppage-time.

“Our performance was good, especially the second half,” said McCarthy. “I don’t think we did enough first half, but I think we did enough to get something out of the game overall. We didn’t score though and they had a Johnny of the spot though and we didn’t – it’s as simple as that.

“We got ourselves in some good positions but weren’t able to work the goalkeeper, which was disappointing.”

On McGoldrick’s awkward attempt at a header back to keeper Dean Gerken prior to the Reading’s winner, McCarthy said: “We should come out in a line, we didn’t and Didz was the one seeing the overload at the far side and he just got done with a run.

“He didn’t get done by the run actually, because he got the ball. I think he’s tried to head it back to Gerks. If he’s a defender he probably just puts his foot through it and makes sure it goes out for a corner kick. I’ll forgive Didzy that though because he’s terrific. I’m not blaming him.

“Overall he’s worked very hard, as he always does. He’s had some good bits, but I think he might have got away from one or two of those defenders when he’s in his pomp and not just coming back. He’s been out for four or five months though.

“He did well, but maybe he’s just lacking that sharpness. We knew that though and he’s getting there.”

On Cummings’ last-gasp clearance off the line, the Blues boss said: “It was fabulous defending. There was nothing Tyrone more could have done, their defender has moved from the near post to the far post and stopped it going in. Otherwise we’d have got a point. It’s fine margins.”

Reading boss Nigel Adkins – who was without eight injured or unfit first team players and saw key centre-back Sean Morrison sold to Cardiff two days before the match – said: “We’ve had a really good pre-season, we got a well-deserved point – it should have been three at Wigan – then we get through the Capital One Cup in midweek and pick up three points today with a clean sheet.

“Jake Taylor has been with us since eight years of age. In fact, when you look at the 18-man squad today, 12 of them have come through our academy. We had six subs who have never featured in pro football before.

“That was a physical, physical game today. Look at the size of Ipswich, they’re massive. We knew before the game that they would be a big threat from set-plays. They keep launching the ball long and we had to keep trying to compete for the first and second ball.

“They threw the kitchen sink at us towards the end and the lads have had to stand up. It was a little bit different to last weekend at Wigan where we totally dominated possession and played some good football (drawing 2-2). We had to show the other element today and that bodes well.”