Paul Ince urges Reading to show more ‘mental toughness’ in battle for survival

Reading boss Paul Ince called for “mental toughness” from his players after they let a point slip with a late 2-1 loss to Preston.

Six days after being handed a six-point deduction for breaching the EFL’s business plan, the Royals remain in the relegation zone as their winless run extended to eight games.

Substitute Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan had brought Reading back level in the 83rd minute only for Brad Potts to steal all three points in injury time.

“Whether that was a lack of quality or just a lack of concentration at the end, you just can’t let that happen,” Ince said.

“You’ve got to stay concentrated and focused 110 per cent.

“We’ve suffered like this a few times recently. Players need to have that mental toughness in certain situations and we’ve lacked that a few too many times recently.

“We’ve definitely had a problem seeing out games recently and that is something we’ve got to get rid of quickly.

“In a short time we’ve gone from a mid-table team to one in the bottom three and fighting to stay up. It’s been tough, but we’ve got to pick ourselves up from this.”

The Royals withstood relentless Preston pressure in the first half, although neither side could record a shot on target.

Preston deservedly moved ahead in the 56th minute as Fernandez sent a cross in from the left for Cannon to expertly slot home for his fourth goal in three games.

Reading responded through Ehibhatiomhan, who was perfectly placed to loop a header over Freddie Woodman direct from Nesta Guinness-Walker’s long throw-in.

The Royals’ hard work turned out to be in vain however as Potts struck late on for Preston’s fifth win in six games as they moved level on points with sixth-placed Blackburn in the play-off race.

Preston manager Ryan Lowe said: “Reading are fighting for their lives of course and we knew we’d have to fight all the way to get a result today, but to find a way like we did, with just minutes to go, was absolutely fantastic.

“We’re on 62 points now and that’s only a couple less than last season, so that’s showing improvement.

“We’ve got a big five games to go now, but we’ll go back to the drawing board and see what the next game brings.

“If we can get into the top six, then great, but then it’s about us staying in there.

“We’ll keep setting more and more targets and hopefully we can go on and achieve something special here.”

Lowe also praised match-winner Potts, who netted his third Championship goal of the season.

“He was massively brave getting his goal,” he added. “He’s been like that for a while now, though.

“He’s been fantastic in every way so far this season, so he deserves another goal.

“Sometimes in situations like that, you’ve got to have that bravery.”