The first half really was horrific. At one point Gunter gave the ball away on the right and then fell over. Gorkss and Pearce then ended up on the ground as Brighton walked through our defence. Before Kelly was on the deck as their player strolled round him as well. Don't know how they didn't manage to walk the ball in, but they didn't. Worryingly this scene was not even in Brighton's top 5 chances of the half. They hit the bar 3 times! Scored, and forced Feds to make 2 or 3 good saves.

Happy for Feds though, he had a good game. Hopefully for him he'll get a move to another Champ team and get the 1st team football that he deserves. I'm not saying he should be our No.1 keeper, but he deserves more than sitting on the bench of this pathetic team.
P!ssed Off

Same old. Shit 75 minutes followed by a late period of play where we start moving the ball quickly and actually look decent. Alf and Taylor both missed very presentable chances at the death, and despite being second best for most of the game we probably should have come away with a replay. Blackman stood out until he had to go off with what looked like a niggle. Taylor and Obits both did okay considering the experienced shower that they were playing with. Kelly was diabolical on the left, as per. Hmmm. Change is needed. Hopefully that will come through investment in the squad this month, but if that isn't forthcoming then I'm increasingly unsure Adkins is the man to lead this squad forwards.
winchester_royal

Andrews was at the centre of the early action, forcing Royals goalkeeper Adam Federici into a brilliant save from a deflected shot before hitting the bar after a driving run into the penalty area. The Reading crossbar was struck twice more in the same attack soon after, first via the impressive Federici after a 20-yard March shot, and then from Barnes's headed rebound. Brighton continued to be the stronger side and got the goal their pressure deserved when midfielder Crofts' shot from outside the area took a huge deflection off Pearce... The hosts were soon back in control, and Australia international Federici produced another superb stop to keep out midfielder Agustien's effort from the left. Reading then went close to forcing an unlikely equaliser late on when striker Adam Le Fondre headed over when unmarked.

Reading manager Nigel Adkins:
"West Brom don't have a manager but all my focus is to try and improve Reading. All the energy and focus is to us. I wanted a good cup run but unfortunately a deflected goal has done us today. We've got a fantastic board and the chairman will do everything that is right for the club. We've got an opportunity to regroup and maybe get one or two in because our focus is to get promoted."
BBC Sport

It was all too familiar for Royals who struggled to create throughout a frustrating 90 minutes at the Amex Stadium. They failed to muster a single shot on goal in the first half as they went into the break trailing Andrew Crofts' 32nd minute strike.

They did improve after the interval and had some chances to equalise but that would have been harsh on Brighton who deserved their win.

The defeat means Reading have now lost five of their last seven games in all competitions. They were cheered on by nearly 2,200 supporters at Brighton who provided great support throughout. Unfortunately they were not repaid with a performance as Nigel Adkins' side once again flattered to deceive.
GetReading