READING City manager Simon Johnson remains confident his side can lift themselves away from the Premier Division relegation zone, writes Dave Wright.

A 2-1 defeat at Windsor leaves them fourth from bottom, just three points clear of tailenders Longlevens, a side they still have to play twice.

City have managed only one win in their last dozen league games, but Johnson believes they will turn things around.

"I am confident we will soon start to pick up points," said Johnson after Tuesday's game at Stag Meadow.

"I am 100 per cent confident we will climb the table. We have 11 games left and we must treat them all like cup finals.

"It's important we take points off other teams who are around us in the table."

Johnson continued: "We played a lot better than we have in recent weeks. There was a togetherness in the squad which had been missing in recent weeks.

"With a little bit more quality in the final third, we might have nicked a point."

Johnson was particularly pleased with 18-year-old defender Harry McDonnall, who was making his first-team debut.

"He has been at Oxford United and now with our partners, John Madejski Academy," said the manager.

"He is a very good player and a great addition to our squad."

McDonnall helped to stamp out the threat of a Windsor side who included 29-goal Dan Roberts and 46-year-old Barry Hayles, the former Football League stalwart.

Nas Bockarie also stood out in the City defence despite needing three minutes of treatment in the first half when falling heavily after a challenge.

Both the Windsor goals came from set-pieces. Kane Fitzgerald put them ahead on 43 minutes with a free-kick from just outside the area with Johnson claiming the free-kick decision was "very debatable."

The manager commented: "Games can be decided by very fine margins and when you are down where we are in the table, those decisions don't go your way unfortunately."

Luke Appleton headed Windsor second goal from a corner on 70 minutes after keeper Matt Carr had superbly tipped a shot over the bar.

City kept plugging away and Adam Cashin-Murray scored from Liam O'Reilly's corner with 10 minutes remaining and they were not far away from grabbing a late equaliser following two more corners.

City are home to Ascot United this Saturday (3pm) and then host Holmer Green at Rivermoor Stadium on Monday (7.45pm).

l WOODLEY United ran riot as they hammered rock bottom Chinnor 6-2 in Division One East on Saturday.

Max Laschok grabbed a brilliant hat-trick, and with Liam Wilson also bagging a brace and Chace Jewell on the scoresheet, it was a comfortable afternoon for the Kestrels.

Stuart Braun and Richard Jewell were the Chinnor goalscorers.

Woodley United travel to Wokingham & Emmbrook this coming Saturday (3pm).

l IN-FORM Sid Gbla struck a superb treble as second-placed AFC Aldermaston crushed Penn & Tylers Green 4-0 in Division One East.

Substitute Alex Badshah got the other goal after coming off the bench as the Atom Men cut the gap to leaders Burnham to nine points with a game in hand.

AFC Aldermaston host second-bottom Abingdon Town this Saturday (3pm).