Reading boss Leam Richardson wants better game management after Port Vale draw

Leam Richardson wants his Reading players to improve their game management following their late 1-1 draw at Port Vale.

The promotion-chasing Royals turned in a strong first half and led 1-0 at the break following Lewis Wing’s 39th-minute penalty.

But they took their foot off the gas in the second half, with Joel Pereira coming to the rescue to keep out Funso Ojo’s curler after 54 minutes.

The visitors paid the price when Martin Sherif levelled for Vale six minutes into added time.

“We defended resolutely and then these are the moments you suffer,” said Richardson.

“We are 30 seconds away from being clapped off the pitch for a good away performance and then the ball is in the back of the net from an aimless ball forward.

“We had chances to go 2-0 up and finish the game off and we didn’t take them, you will always leave yourself open.

“We want to be better and control games. The eighth minute should be the same as the 98th minute.

“That is what we are trying to educate the group with. The lads outside the starting 11 need to maintain and lift their levels.

“The first half was as good as we have been away, with or without the ball, and we deserved to be in the lead.

“They had nothing to lose and threw men forward. When they have nothing to lose they are a dangerous animal.

“We will look at the good things we have been doing and reflect on them as well as where we can get better.”

Proud Vale boss Jon Brady felt the point was fully deserved.

“I am really pleased for the boys, a draw was the minimum we deserved,” he said.

“With 10 minutes to go I said to the staff, we had played really well. The second half we stepped on to them and dominated the ball. We had chances and flashes around their box.

“We were really penetrative against a team fighting for the play-offs.

“To see the players playing with fluidity in the second half, on that pitch, was incredible.

“I said to the boys it felt really good. Overall for us, they have been through some real tough times.

“I constructively criticised a few at half-time and asked for more and I felt I got a good reaction.

“I need the players to take things on better. The first half was too passive, but the second half was much better. The changes really freshened things up.

“We want to excite the fans and hopefully we gave them something to cling on to today.

“The task now is, can we start to create some momentum going into the next game?”