Reading struggled to create many clear-cut chances in the first 45 minutes and it looked like the dismissal of Sid Nelson on the verge of half-time may help Steve Clarke’s side unlock a poor Millwall defence.

But if anything it was a hindrance as Ian Holloway switched to a 4-4-1 formation and sat eight men behind the ball, preventing Reading from creating any significant opportunities.

The Royals came unstuck at Fulham two weeks earlier when they conceded in added time to lose a game that they had dominated, and Hector admits that it was something at the back of the players’ minds.

“We have to be more cautious now,” he said. “The gaffer said about the Fulham game as we shouldn’t have dropped points. We didn’t want to lose to Millwall but we want to win games as well.

“They went down to 10 men and at half-time we thought we had enough quality to win it but Millwall defended well. They held their line, got quite deep. We got in good crossing positions but couldn’t get anyone on the end of it.

“It was similar to the Watford game at home where they went down to 10 men. We went gung-ho and lost that game.

“We were cautious but I felt we should have pushed for it a bit more and played through the lines more often but they were quite deep so it was hard to get through them.”

Hector was at the centre of the main talking point of the game as he was the victim of a Nelson kick that resulted in a red card for the Millwall defender.

“I don’t really know where it came from,” laughed a bemused Hector. “The referee blew the whistle for a free-kick so I went to get the ball and I just got swiped at. It was strange but it was a bad tackle and luckily I moved my leg out the way, it wasn’t planted. It was sore at half-time but it’s ok now.”

Reading welcome low-scoring Sheffield Wednesday to the Madejski Stadium on Saturday. The visitors lie ninth in the table and are in contention for a play-off spot despite their poor goalscoring form.

Wednesday have netted just 21 times in 27 games this season but Hector’s expecting a difficult afternoon at the back.

“It’ll be a tough game and a big test,” he added. “Atdhe Nuhiu is a handful and they seem to play through him and Stevie May.

“It’ll be a tough game but hopefully we can push on and get the three points.

“We’re doing well in the cup but we want to take that into the league now.”