AFTER conceding 13 goals in five games, Reading boss Steve Coppell was happy to see his depleted side go so close to beating Ipswich.Missing Steve Sidwell, who had a chest infection, and Nicky Forster, who was ruled out earlier in the week with a stomach strain, the Royals took the lead before ending up with just a point.

AFTER conceding 13 goals in five games, Reading boss Steve Coppell was happy to see his depleted side go so close to beating Ipswich.

Missing Steve Sidwell, who had a chest infection, and Nicky Forster, who was ruled out earlier in the week with a stomach strain, the Royals took the lead before ending up with just a point.

While he might have been happy with a draw before the game, Coppell ended up slightly disappointed at not securing all three points.

He said: “It was tight and we might have edged it.

“They had significantly more possession than us in the first half but they didn't worry us at all because they didn't really get any strikes on goal. They have all that quality in midfield, they're very cultured and composed, but we had more strikes on goal.

“In the second half we had even more chances.

“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 resilient and more incisive on occasions and our goal portrayed that.”

Reading went ahead through a well-taken header from Lloyd Osusu, on loan from Sheffield Wednesday, before conceding a sloppy equaliser to John McGreal.

Coppell said: “It was ironic that our goal was a fabulous move and their goal was a scabby ricochet from the corner which landed at McGreal's feet.

“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.”

Reading are just four points behind sixth-placed Ipswich and the play-off places.

Coppell said: “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.”

Reading gave a debut to Dave Kitson, a recent £350,000 signing from Cambridge United, and former Colchester United forward Dean Morgan impressed during his 12-minute cameo role.

Coppell added: “Dean Morgan has great skill and great qualities. He just needs a bit more oomph.”

n As revealed by the EADT, the Royals recently made a £500,000 move for Alan Mahon who was recalled by Blackburn Rovers from his loan spell at Ipswich and Coppell is keen to try again later this month.