FORMER Reading FC captain Jem Karacan relived the gut-wrenching moment when he almost equalised against Swansea City in the 2011 Championship play-off final.

Karacan was a key member of Brian McDermott's squad which made it to Wembley after knocking out Cardiff City in the semi finals.

Disaster struck as the Swans, coached by former Reading boss Brendan Rodgers, stormed into a 3-0 lead at half time following a Scott Sinclair brace and Stephen Dobbie goal.

But Reading staged a remarkable recovery at the break and pulled two goals back through former skipper Matt Mills and fans' favourite Noel Hunt.

And they almost made it 3-3 late on when Karacan blistering drive from long range cannoned off Doruis De Vries' post, with the Swansea keeper beaten.

The force was certainly with Reading at the time, but within moments of that happening, Reading gave away a needless penalty when Andy Griffin tripped Fabio Borini and Sinclair converted to complete his hat-trick and secure a victory that sent the Swans back to the top flight.

Now Karacan, 28, looks back on that eventful day at Wembley with fond - but also painful - memories.

"Just getting into the play-offs was quite an achievement that year," reflected Karacan, who recently achieved promotion to the Championship with Bolton Wanderers.

"It was a hard season but Brian came in and got us all buzzing, he got us all together and we had a great team spirit.

"I remember Cardiff in the semi-finals and the first game was 0-0. Then we went to their place and it was a tight affair, as it always was against them. So to put in the performance we did and win 3-0 was amazing.

"You find yourself waiting around a lot because after the game against Cardiff we had 10 or 11 days until the final.

"We arrived at Wembley and everyone got familiar with the surroundings. But you just want to get going because the more you wait, the more you start to overthink things.

"When we got the dressing room it was just unbelievable seeing all the Reading FC branding."

Karacan revealed he sometimes watches the game back to enjoy some of the better moments.

And he recalled a inspirational speech from manager McDermott at half-time which rallied the Royals troops.

"Seeing all the fans was incredible," he continued. "The recording of that game is still on my mum's Sky Plus box I think.

"I remember their goals, they just kept attacking and kept scoring. We actually started the game quite well and Shane Long had a good chance to score first.

"There was this unbelievable speech from Brian at half time. He just told us to go out there and enjoy and have no regrets. Jobi McAnuff gave a brilliant speech too.

"We started the second half well and got the two goals back. Then I had a chance, but unfortunately it just hit the wrong side of the post.

"From that moment we never really got back into it.

"It was our one big chance.

"It has always stuck with me whenever I see games at Wembley. People send me messages saying 'do you remember when you hit the post'."

Royals, though, went one better the following year and won the Championship title under McDermott.

Reading Chronicle:

(L-R): Former Royals Noel Hunt, Adam Le Fondre, Shaun Cummings, Jem Karacan and Jason Roberts with the 2012 Championship trophy.

Now, having cemented their place in the play-offs under the stewardship of Jaap Stam, Royals have a golden opportunity to achieve Premier League status for the third time in the club's history.

Karacan played 21 top-flight games for the Royals, scoring once in a 4-2 victory against Fulham, and made 175 appearances for the club in total, netting 12 times.

And the club's former Academy graduate admitted he would love nothing more than to see Reading get back to what he described as "the biggest stage" in world football, insisting Stam is the right man to get them there.

"You're playing against the best players in the world and the best teams in the world," he concluded. "I'm so happy that I got to do it with a club that is so close to my heart.

"Just to get to that level is a hell of an achievement.

"Hopefully the current crop of players can realise what an opportunity they have in front of them now.

"They have Jaap Stam who has been an amazing manager for them and he is a Premier League and football legend.

"There is no better stage in world football and he will tell them what is on offer.

"I'm delighted at how well Reading have done this season.

"There is a part of me that would still love to be there.

"They have done unbelievably and it's an amazing achievement considering what happened the last previous seasons.

"Seeing Brian go was sad, but for Stam to come in and to do what he has done just shows what a top class manager he is."