Royals boss Veljko Paunovic was drawing the positives from a game which saw us lock horns with the new table-toppers...
"An incredible game of Championship football..." began the Sky Sports reporter after this evening's electric encounter against Brentford. "I'm very proud of every single one of our players," began Royals boss Veljko Paunovic.
"I think we showed real spirit. In the first half we were a fantastic team. The second half too, until we concede that second goal.
"We started as we wanted - from the beginning we brought the ball in their half, to create opportunities from open plays and to force them to commit fouls and concede set plays.
"We got a penalty kick which was converted. And we should have scored another one. That would have given us the advantage we were looking for in the first half.
"And we had opportunities, Josh Laurent did that fantastic move - did almost everything right until the final execution...even that was great but it was a great save from the keeper.
"This is the only thing we lament, the fact we didn't make it a two goal advantage in the first half.
"But if we continue to play this way in future games we will always have a better outcome to the one we have tonight.
"Even against a team like Brentford today, who really showed a lot of quality. We weren't intimidated. We played our game, we played our way, and that is what is required to be a player at Reading Football Club.
"We matched them. The players can be proud of themselves. And they should go into every single game with the confidence that we are condenders.
"There is still a long way to go of course. But when you play against teams like Brentford, that's when you can measure yoruself. And you understand how good you are..or not.
"And today we put in a very good performance. It was just the result that was not good.
"We are proud. We are sad and it hurts that we have lost...so it's not a good feeling tonight. But we also have to know that we now have a stretch of five games where we can get back on track.
"When we look back, we can say we are playing good football and we are a good, solid side. And there is nothing to worry about...unless we change our minds and we don't put in what we put in day in, day out...the commitment, hard work, structure, organisation and add talent on top of that."