Reading FC manager Paul Ince believed his side took three ‘thoroughly deserved’ points against Stoke City in their home victory.
The Royals went ahead through Michael Morrison, only to be pegged back on the stroke of half-time by Romaine Sawyers’ strike.
Reading regained the lead and took the three points thanks to Lucas Joao’s 63rd minute header.
“I’m drained, I’m getting too old for this,” said Ince.
“We thoroughly deserved to win, we came out of the traps really quickly.
“The fact we started so well we looked confident. It was nice for us to get a goal first at last and build on that.
“We started dropping off and allowed them to get back into it and before half time just before half time the keeper throws one in, he was disappointed with that and he made himself accountable, which I like.”
Having gone in level at half-time, Ince was pleased with his team’s response to regroup and regain the lead.
He continued: “We had to go again, the spirit they’ve got at the moment, they went out again in the second half and you’ve seen what they’re capable of.
“We got the goal, Lucas (Joao) is claiming it but I don’t think he’s going to get it.
“We should have made it 3-1, and they go back and should have made it 2-2.
“You usually get punished for them. We had that bit of luck and we deserved that.
“We were nervous at times but you can understand that. We were under that little bit of pressure.
“It was an all round very good performance despite being nervous at times.
“Physically, emotionally, mentally it’s tiring. They dug in and stuck together and thoroughly deserved the three points
“It’s an eight point buffer but we can’t get complacent and think it’s done because things can change quickly.”
