Brighton v Reading: Player Ratings

Alex McCarthy: 6
Some may claim he had a hand/lack of a hand, in the eye-watering own goal. Personally, I don't think he can take much of the blame. Made a magnificent one-handed save in injury time to keep us in with a shout of scrapping a win. "KEEPER'S!"

Chris Gunter: 5
Oh, Chris. After the own goal spent the remainder of the game trying his best to make up for his calamitous error. Went forward well at times, but made a few mistakes at the back. Guilty.

Alex Pearce: 7
Before the game I was really concerned that the physical Ulloa would boss Pearce again, like he did for 30 minutes at the Mad Stad earlier in the year. Thankfully not this time. Pearce was full of intent to get to the ball first. However, he never looked comfortable with the ball at his feet. Mallet.

Michael Hector: 7
A very impressive debut from big Hec. Looked mobile and athletic, unlike Pearce, Hector looked composed in possession and played the ball out well from the back. Made the occasional aimless long ball. Full of potential to be the next big thing in the middle of the Reading defence. Cultured.

Jordan Obita: 7
Continues to look a threat going forwards and did the basics well at the back. Consistently provided good width on the left, hard to fault his performance today. Rapid.

Nick Blackman: 6
A real game of two halves for Blackman. In the first he repeatedly lost the ball when attempting to take on his man on the right. In the second, he was much improved. Troubled the Brighton full back without ever looking like he was going to 'skin' his man. Reading fans heard to sing 'Nick Blackman's a football genius' in a non-sarcastic manner on more than one occasion. Bi-polar.

Hope Akpan: 6
Will probably go underrated and undervalued for his input in this game. He more than effectively matched the physicality of Rohan Ince, pushing the monstrous Ince off the ball on at least one occasion in the second half. Provided very little in the forward direction. Can't help but think Williams would have done a better job. Brutish.

Danny Guthrie: 7
Picked the ball up from the centre backs and gave it to the wide midfielders. I could end there. Rarely gave the ball away, but I don't recall him ever make an incisive, defence-splitting pass. Guthrie pulled the strings today, but pulled them from a rather deep position. One-dimensional.

Hal Robson-Kanu: 5
I think Hal was meant to be playing the number ten role today. But I don't know because Adkins confuses me. Whatever he was doing, it didn't work. He held the ball up moderately well a few times, but created nothing after a reasonable showing in the week for Wales. Perhaps this was not his strongest position? Jetsam.

Royston Drenthe: 9
Reading's man of the match for me. Repeatedly terrorised the Brighton defence and played the role of pantomime villain perfectly. Cracking finish for his goal combined with an equally magnificent celebration, running to the Reading bench arms spread. Looked motivated throughout his 75 minute performance. Was occasionally seen ponderously ambling when Reading lost possession, but I don't mind. Messiah.

Adam Le Fondre: 6
Worked hard, kept moving and looking for space, but only really had scraps to feed on. Headed over the bar from 5 yards when it looked like he should have at least put a shot on Kuszczak's goal. Contributed well to Greer's sending-off by acting the dying swan. As expected, Alfie looked like a little lost boy on occasions without his big Russian mate. Industrious.

Substitutes

Garath McCleary: 6
Did well when he came on, but against a midfield a man light I would have expected him to create a bit more. Could have gone down for a penalty towards the end, but stayed on his feet to his credit. Step-over.

Jobi McAnuff: 5
Really should have scored when he was clean through on goal, but never looked like he was going to tuck it neatly away. Wasteful.

Jake Taylor: 5
Gave the ball away a few times during his brief appearance on the pitch. Prospect