Jamie Mackie's brace either side of a Chris O'Grady penalty gave Reading all three points on the night as they moved up to 16th in the Championship, 13 points clear of the relegation zone.

The victory also ended a nightmare spell at the Madejski Stadium for the Royals, with Clarke's side failing to score in their last three home defeats.

The Reading boss was clearly delighted with the victory and said it was just what was needed to help them pull away from the bottom three.

“It gives us a lift in the league and that's what we needed,” he said. "We knew the game was crucial because Brighton were just below us in the league, so it was a big win for us.

"We wanted to make the gap bigger between ourselves and the bottom three and we managed to do that. I think we deserved to do it as well.

“A home performance was important because we had lost the last three and not scored any goals.

"But I thought Jamie deservedly put us in front and we should have been three or four in front."

Reading created numerous chances throughout but couldn't wrap the game up and it looked like that might cost them when Brighton levelled from the spot.

Clarke didn't think it was a penalty but praised his side's character to bounce back and seal a deserved win.

"We didn't capitalise on all our chances,” he added. "The referee gave them a penalty which was embarrassing and it got them back in the game.

"But we responded well and showed what we have in recent weeks. We showed grit, character and determination. We got ourselves in front again and never looked like losing after that."

Clarke will now decide whether to tinker with his side again for Saturday's trip to Watford (3pm ko), with one eye on Monday's FA Cup quarter final replay at home to Bradford City (7.45pm ko).