Reading FC interim boss Paul Ince heaped praise on his players following victory at Sheffield United.
An added time winner from academy graduate Tom McIntyre secured a vital three points as the Royals fight to secure their Championship status for next season.
“When it all comes together with this team we cut opposition teams apart,” Ince said.
“The first-half we looked like a team that is going up to the Premier League or getting to the play-offs.
“We should have been 3-0 up and that is the only disappointing thing as we have got to give our defence a rest.
“I thought overall today we got it right against a very good team and I am immensely proud of my players,” said Ince.
Reading took the lead with Lucas Joao’s eighth goal of the season, but the hosts appeared to have secured a point in the 90th minute through Iliman Ndiaye.
McIntyre then popped up late in added time to poke the ball past Wes Foderingham to the delight of the travelling fans.
“Let’s talk about how great the fans were today,” Ince said.
He continued: “It took us five hours to come here yesterday so for them to come and support us was immense.
“There was a belief and togetherness between the players and fans.”
The Royals now make the journey back to Berkshire ahead of their match against Swansea City at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Monday, April 18.
Reading currently sit nine points clear of the relegation zone with four games remaining but Ince insists the job isn’t done yet.
He said: “I think the most important thing for us is to remember that Barnsley have a game in hand and Derby still have to play tonight.
“But it’s about what we do. The teams behind us would’ve seen us going to Sheffield United and thought ‘not gonna get anything there’ but we have shown that we can.
“We have given ourselves a great chance.
“To get three points at this great stadium with passionate fans against a team going for the play-offs is a massive result and takes us into Monday with loads of confidence.”
