Steve Coppell was disappointed that his team was unable to sustain their bright start in today's 3-0 loss at Newcastle.

The Royals boss said, "For the first 20 minutes I thought we looked the better team, we had more purpose.

"For the first goal there was a genuine slip from Liam Rosenior, who would have controlled the situation if he'd stayed on his feet.

"After that opening goal I thought we were still marginally the better team without having a clinical cutting edge.

"At half-time I came in 2-0 down wondering how that had happened, but I suppose that's why we're down at the bottom - things like that happen.

"We played a lot of good football in the first half to a certain point, without having a cutting edge.

"You have to give credit to the finishers they have - Owen, Viduka and Martins is a hell of a threesome.

"But I thought that today's game might have been an opportunity for us, so I am disappointed."