STEVE Clarke argued Reading FC were good value for a point after their 1-1 home draw with Championship leaders Brighton & Hove Albion.

Seagulls were on course for victory at Madejski Stadium thanks to Jamie Murphy's 52nd minute strike.

But Matej Vydra grabbed his first goal in Royals colours with 11 minutes to go to secure the draw.

Clarke, whose watched his side throw away a two-goal lead at Fulham in a 4-2 defeat the previous Saturday, beamed: “We spoke before and at half-time about the importance of the first goal.

“So having been a goal behind to a good Brighton team that are top of the league for a reason and are very strong defensively, we did well to get back in and make it 1-1.

“We started a little bit slowly, which might have been a bit of a hangover from last week, but once we got to grips with the game I thought we more or less bossed the first half without creating anything really clear cut.

“There were a lot of free-kicks around the edge of the box that on another day we could have done better with.

“In the second half Brighton got the goal, then sat in and tried to defend their lead.

“But I thought our response was good because we kept pushing and chasing and looking for ways to open them up. Eventually we got the goal we deserved.”

Vydra picked the perfect time to open his Royals account with a clinical finish after Seagulls keeper Dave Stockdale had spilled Nick Blackman's initial shot.

And Clarke praised the on-loan Watford forward, stating: “It’s been a little bit difficult for Matej because he came in and picked up a nasty injury.

“He has worked ever so hard to get over that, and he’s now finding his way back into the team and finding out about his teammates.

“He does a great job for the team wherever we ask him to play, and it was great reaction to the goalkeeper not holding onto the shot.

“Matej was there first and did what we know he can do, and what he will do in the future.”

The result means Reading remain seventh in the Championship table and are without a win in three league matches.

Clarke's men will he hoping to secure all three points when they host Huddersfield Town tomorrow night (Tuesday, 8pm ko).