DANNY Williams accused referee Stuart Attwell of being intimidated by Fulham FC supporters before showing Reading FC captain Paul McShane a straight red card in tonight’s play-off semi-final.

Royals took a share of the spoils in the first leg after Tom Cairney responded to Jordan Obita’s stellar opener at Craven Cottage.

The pressure was on however and Reading had to see out the last 11 minutes of the game with 10 men after skipper McShane lunged into a challenge and brought down Kevin McDonald.

But USA international Williams suggested Attwell had first reached for a yellow card before consulting with his assistant and sending McShane down the tunnel for an early bath.

“It was a tough and intense game,” asserted Williams.

“The red card didn’t help. I don’t know if it was a straight red.

“Macca comes in a bit late but he’s come from the front and McDonald goes down.

“He’s a smart player, I would have done the same thing.

“The referee was intimidated by the crowd, he reached for a yellow first then he spoke to the linesman and gave the red.

“It was tough but the boys dug deep and that’s a big compliment to them. They showed great character again and now it’s down to us to make it happen on Tuesday.”

Reading Chronicle:

Captain McShane was shown a straight red card for his challenge on McDonald.

Reading went into the game as outsiders – according to bookmakers – despite finishing above Fulham in the Championship table.

The Royals did not let the pre-match talk get the better of them and looked calm and composed on the ball before eventually taking the lead in the 53rd minute.

And Williams insisted the players were full of confidence throughout the match.

“I’ve said already that we have already overachieved this season,” he continued.

“There is no pressure on us.

“If you told the fans we would finish in the top six, third actually above Aston Villa and Newcastle, then they wouldn’t have believed you.”

Fulham levelled the scores when Ali Al-Habsi’s save rebounded straight to the unmarked Cairney, who nodded home from close range.

But Reading will take plenty of positives from the ground they were on the receiving end of a 5-0 thrashing at back in December.

And Williams wants his team-mates to give their all on Tuesday to rocket the Royals to Wembley for the play-off final.

“We have three days to rest our legs,” he asserted.

“Recovery is key now.

“But that’s like every other week in the Championship so it’s the same routine.

“We would have taken a point, we would have taken anything but losing.

“We have to be switched on. Obviously the boys can be happy with today’s result but not too happy because nothing is won yet.

“I think I prefer 1-1 to winning 1-0 because if you go into Tuesday with a lead then there is a tendency to lay back a bit.

“The boys need to stay sharp.”

 

Reading Chronicle:

Royals skipper Paul McShane was sent off for this tackle on Fulham's Kevin McDonald.

Should Tuesday’s match end in a draw, the players will face extra time and possibly even penalties.

Both Reading and Fulham have a dismal record from the spot this season, missing seven each.

Fulham’s Chris Martin missed a one at the Madejski Stadium back in January, squandering a golden opportunity to level the score line.

And Williams revealed Reading are yet to practice their spot-kicks.

“If it goes to penalties that makes it even more fun,” he added.

“That’s what the fans want to see.

“We’ve shown at home we can win against any team.

“It will be tough and we know that.

“(If it goes to penalties) I don’t know if it comes down to luck or who is calmest.

“We haven’t practiced them yet.”