STEVE Clarke argued Reading FC created enough chances to have secured at least a draw at Cardiff City on another day.

Royals crashed 2-0 in south Wales on Saturday after goals from Kenwyne Jones and Matthew Connolly either side of half time clinched the victory for Russell Slade's hosts.

But Clarke was in no doubt as to who the inspiration behind Bluebirds' win really was following an outstanding display by David Marshall between the sticks.

The Cardiff keeper made a host of brilliant saves to deny Nick Blackman, Oliver Norwood, Orlando Sa and debutant Rowan Liburd, much to Clarke's frustration.

Royals boss admitted: "Their goalkeeper was man of the match and I think that says a lot.

“For him to be so outstanding, then we must have been quite a threat going forward.

“On another day, we would have got something from the game.

"We're obviously disappointed to lose what was a fairly even contest.

“There was nothing in it in the first half, but we conceded two goals from set plays and after that it wouldn't go in the net for us.”

Jones broke the deadlock a minute before the interval when he headed home from a free kick.

Former Royal Connolly added a second in the 53 minute with another headed goal, this time after Royals fell asleep at a corner.

Clarke added: "The first goal was always going to be crucial in a tight game  and that's how it proved.

“The free kick that led to the first goal was a soft one for me, and we got punished heavily for that.

"We didn't defend the set plays well. It was a good header, but we have to look at it and see how Kenwyne Jones managed to get in front of the man and score.

"Near the start of the second half we conceded again from another set play. It's not like us.

“Cardiff are quite a big team and they can get their heads on the ball, but it was too clean a header with no challenge on him.

"From there the response was good, we had to make the pitch very wide and the game became open.

“We had lots of chances but their goalkeeper made a lot of good saves.

"I've got to credit the players, they kept chasing, they kept trying and on that basis I think we deserved something. Instead, it's a tough defeat."

The loss in Cardiff means Reading have not won in the Championship for five matches, picking up a meagre three points from a possible 15, and have dropped to eighth in the table.

A host of Royals players will now depart for international duty before Clarke's men return to league action at home to Bolton Wanderers on November 21.

"We've stuttered over the last couple of weeks so we have to go away, analyse, and come up with a way of playing that gets us back on the winning trail,” declared Clarke.

"The last time the international break came around, it came at a bad time for us.

“We were on a good run, we had good momentum, we were playing well and picking up lots of points.

"This time, perhaps it has come at a good time for us. We can go away, take stock, reassess, get ready to go again and come back stronger."