JAAP Stam praised his Reading FC squad for putting their bodies on the line following a nervous end to a 2-1 victory over Bristol City.

Goals from Garath McCleary and Roy Beerens gave the Royals a comfortable lead at half-time, but City staged a late fight-back and reduced the deficit with four minutes left to play through Gary O'Neil.

The late goal set up a tense ending to the M4 derby, but Reading showed great character and strength in defence to hold on to a fifth successive league victory.

The win puts them seven points clear of seventh place and just six points off leaders Newcastle, who suffered a shock defeat to Blackburn Rovers, and Stam heaped praise on his squad's spirit after taking all three points.

"You're always nervous when you are two up and the opposition gets a goal," declared Stam.

"That's five wins in a row and it's a good feeling. It's good for our confidence too.

"We knew we were facing a good team with good players and physique and that's what we saw in the second half.

"They played more direct and made it difficult for us but the thing is we don't just play good attacking football, we can defend as well.

"Sometimes you want a bit more control in the second half but it doesn't always work out when you are playing against good teams.

"We are very happy with the win and we are already looking forward to the next game."

O'Neil's late goal heaped pressure on Reading's back five, and Omani stopper Ali Al-Habsi was called into action a number of times.

Royals' fans had their hearts in their mouths when City screamed for a penalty over an alleged handball against Callum Harriott, which was turned down by referee Tim Robinson.

Stam said he was overjoyed with the entire team's defensive efforts, but he was particularly pleased with another dominant Al-Habsi display.

"Ali is doing a very important job for us," continued Stam.

"But it's not only him, we are always talking about the whole team defending and keeping clean sheets.

"Our back five worked very hard today, they threw their bodies in front of the ball, blocked lots of shots and won lots of battles in the air.

"It's not easy to do that when you are playing against two strikers because we haven't got the tallest players in our squad, so I'm very happy with how they performed."

The win kept Reading in third position in the league table, but Stam insisted that his squad must take each game as they come and continue to improve.

"It's five wins in a row and we always talk about looking at it from game to game," asserted Stam.

"We can still improve a lot in terms of how we control a game and that's what we are working on.

"Of course when you are high up the table people expect a lot and question whether you can stay up there.

"The players also know that if you are doing well then there is a lot more expectation on you.

"I think it's what they want and it's what they deserve because they have worked really hard to get where they are."

Reading travel to Craven Cottage next Saturday to take on Fulham FC (3pm ko).