A wide-eyed Simon Church was delighted to make his full Reading debut in such a high-profile match as Tuesday night's play-off clash, but admitted that defeat ruined his day.

Wales under 21 captain Church became the last player to be handed a full debut by now-departed boss Steve Coppell, and performed well as a right-sided forward.

The 20-year-old said after the game, "I knew my name was in the manager's thoughts because I was was recalled from my loan before the Birmingham game.

"And I was told on Monday to be ready," he told the post-match press. "But walking into the changing room I was overwhelmed that I was starting.

"I knew I was in the frame - but I only found out before the game. We were having a pre-match meal and Jem [Karacan] said I was in the squad. I thought he was joking, but when I walked into the dressing room at six o'clock I was delighted.

"I gave my parents a quick call but they couldn't make it here tonight which was a shame - but they'll have been watching on TV and will be proud."

Church made a positive impact as part of a three-pronged first half attack, and came close with a couple of half-chances, but unfortunately neither he nor his teammates could get an all important goal.

"We didn't get the result we wanted to cap it off," he continued.

"There was a lot of pressure but there's no greater place to play than in a play-off semi-final. 

"And as a young player these are the games you want to play in. So I was really up for it and hopefully I showed I can handle it.

"Just to see my name on the starting sheet was fantastic - it's a learning curve for me and hopefully there'll be more to come.

"But I would have changed everything to get the chance to go to Wembley.

"There's nothing better than getting a chance to play in the Premier League and defeat is a real dampener."