Jamie Mackie’s 14th minute strike was enough to secure a 1–0 win at Portman Road on Saturday after a dogged performance that earned them their fourth victory in five on the road.

Ipswich had lost just twice at home all season, but had no answer to the Royals’ strong defensive display. And Clarke said it was testament to his players that they were able to respond to Tuesday’s disappointment against Wigan so well.

“The players showed a resilience to come away to a really difficult place and pick up all three points,” he declared. “We stayed strong and we defended really well.

“It was a well-earned, hard fought victory. There wasn’t much between the two teams. It was a game for men, a physical game. I was pleased by the character and resilience of the team.

“We’ve shown we have a good mentality. Everyone was disappointed with Tuesday, no one made any excuses. We took it on the chin and bounced back well.”

It was only Mackie’s second goal of the season and he was clearly delighted to get it, running the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the Reading fans.

Clarke was equally pleased for his player but also praised the performance of many others as Reading moved up to 13th in the Championship

“We’re pleased for Jamie,” added Clarke. “He came in at Derby and was disappointed to miss out against Wigan but freshening him up seemed to work and we’re delighted for him and his goal.

“Everybody was strong on the day, there was a lot of good performances.

“Michael Hector showed he’s a player with a big future for Reading Football Club.

“Jordan Obita was excellent. Danny Williams and Nathaniel Chalobah also gave a good screening in front of the back four. It’s a big win for us.”

Mackie’s low, crisp, 25-yard drive in the 14th minute gave Reading the initiative and they never looked like relinquishing the lead as they defended superbly to record their second successive league win away from the Madejski Stadium.

Hector and Alex Pearce were superb throughout in central defence and restricted Daryl Murphy - the Championship’s top scorer - to half chances that Adam Federici saved comfortably.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it was fourth-placed Ipswich who did all the running in the early stages and Murphy demonstrated his ability within minutes as he picked the ball up on the halfway line and drove past three Reading defenders, but his shot was tame and Federici was equal to it.

Jay Tabb then took aim from distance against his former club, but again the Royals keeper got down well to save it comfortably.

Reading had survived the early pressure and went on to stun Portman Road in the 14th minute when Mackie fired the away side into the lead.

Pavel Pogrebnyak squared the ball to him on the right and Mackie unleashed a low, arrowed drive across goal and past the outstretched arm of Bartosz Bialkowski.

Ipswich continued to push forward and ex-Reading midfielder Tabb went close before the break with a header that flew narrowly wide.

But Reading were battling well in midfield and defence, restricting the hosts to limited opportunities.

Kevin Bru, Paul Anderson, Sears and Murphy all tested Federici in the second, half but a dogged Reading saw the game out with relative ease to continue their fine form and move nine points clear of the drop zone.

Reading were due to travel to Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night after the Midweek had gone to press.

Clarke’s men also host Nottingham Forest at Madejski Stadium this Saturday (3pm), before travelling to Bolton next Tuesday evening (7.45pm).