Shane Long has admitted the Royals were left  cursing their luck after he was denied a strong penalty claim during the weekend's draw with Ipswich Town at Madejski Stadium.

The Irish international put in a lively cameo appearance after entering the fray from the bench, and was felled by a Town defender in the box moments before Simon Church struck the crossbar, with both events summing up another frustrating afternoon for Brendan Rodgers men.

"Sometimes decisions go that way, but hopefully we'll get the rub of the green next time," he admitted.

"The last two or three games we've been playing well together as a team and the gaffer has found a team that fits together well, four points from six isn't a bad return. We've had a look at the positives, we threatened to score and got a goal. I think we were unlucky to concede."

Fellow forward Simon Church was on sparkling form, grabbing a typical poacher's goal in the second half to round up an all action performance. Shane was quick to pay tribute to his colleague.

"It was a striker's finish and he was unlucky not to get another one. With the penalty he could have had a hat-trick today, things didn't go our way but it's nice for him to get another goal."

You can see highlights of the Ipswich clash, including the penalty incident, here on Reading FC Player.