Reading FC under 21s manager Noel Hunt expressed his pride after his side were narrowly beaten in a thrilling Premier League 2 play-off semi-final by Sunderland.
Graeme Murty’s side scored in the 99th minute to force extra-time before they netted a 120th minute winner to end the Royals hopes of making the final.
“First and foremost I’m so proud of the lads in terms of how they’ve fought and battled throughout the season, not just tonight,” said Hunt.
“The effort, the time, the work rate and commitment they’ve shown to the football club.
“Everyone is devastated, it’s a tough one to take. Key moments in the game, we didn’t manage the game in the lost 30 seconds. It cost us. Then the last second in extra-time cost us.
“I thought in the first-half they were the better side, we didn’t get near them. Second half we took over and took control and at 3-2 I thought there was only one winner, but credit to them.
“They’ve scored late goals for the last four or five games, but it’s a gutting one for us, but congratulations to Sunderland.”
Despite the disappointment of the defeat, Hunt is determined for his players to keep developing and earn their chances in the first-team next season.
He continued: “It’s another lesson for our boys that we can’t be sitting back and watching the game go by. We have to be front footed, that’s what we are and when we did that we scored a couple of goals.
“I know the characters I have and that’s why they are here in this stage of their careers.
“We just couldn’t hang on. There were three or four decisions that didn’t go our way. These little things, you need a bit of luck as well and unfortunately tonight in certain areas it didn’t go for us.
“They’ve grown so well as a team, as characters and as people. I’m hoping some of them get their chance to step up to the first-team next season and be a part of that.
“It’s a selfless job but an amazing job. I’m gutted for everyone. The fans turned out, the atmosphere was amazing. It sounded like 10,000 at times.”
