JOSE Gomes suggested Reading FC should have killed off Rotherham United based on the chances they created.

Royals drew 1-1 with the Millers in today’s relegation six-pointer at Madejski Stadium.

But it felt more like two points dropped rather than one gained for Gomes’ men who led through Ovie Ejaria’s first-half strike only for Semi Ajayi to equalise 10 minute from time.

The result means Reading stay above Rotherham and the Championship relegation places on goal difference alone.

Here is ever word from Gomes’ post-match press conference:

“It was like all games in the Championship, very tough and difficult against a Rotherham team we knew would play direct football. Even when there was a foul in their half their keeper kicked direct and the ball was in the air a lot of the time.

“Sometimes it’s difficult to get the ball on the ground and play, but when we did we created some good goal situations. We scored first but then gave Rotherham too much time to put the ball in our box.

“We controlled the game again and with John O’Shea in the middle we expected to have more time with the ball. Then there was an opportunity where Nelson Oliveira slipped and they equalised.

“The big lesson is when you are winning 1-0 you must try and find a way to score a second goal. Against teams with a direct style of football anything can happen.

“My players fought and tried, they showed the wanted to win the game. They completely changed the picture after the previous game (4-0 defeat at Sheffield United), but I am not happy with the result and nor are the players.

“In my opinion we didn’t deserve this result because of the chances we created. I think we deserved to win, but we must put the ball in the net. The clear goal situations we had were amazing, but we didn’t score a second goal.”

Gomes on league position, with Reading still 21st in the table: “Before the kick off I said it was the most important game of the season. It could have been if one of the teams had won. With the draw we still have the same points as Rotherham. However, I think that in a couple of weeks there will be more teams down there fighting, even those above us, there are surprises every week.”

On creating chances: “I am not happy when players miss clear goal situations. But we suffered a lot in our previous game against Sheffield United, so the way we played today I think we really deserved the three points.”

Backing of the fans: “We felt on the pitch the fantastic involvement with supporters during the game. It could have been different if we had come away with three points in the pocket. It’s a big lesson for the players that when you are winning 1-0 you cannot reduce your speed, you must keep playing and playing to get a second one. We tried but not with the same intensity and Rotherham play direct football so anything can happen.

“Barrow recovered the ball and tried to score, Matty (Miazga) could score, (Lewis) Baker could score, G (McCleary) could score. They tried but couldn’t put the ball in the net. I feel if you shoot 100 times you miss one or two but score the others. We have to help the players gain confidence to take their chances.”

On replacing Yakou Meite with John O’shea nine minutes before Rotherham equalised: “Yakou was tired. I could use Ovie (Ejaria) in his position to stop crosses from the left. Yakou is an important player at defensive set pieces. When we replaced him I felt we could have better control of Rotherham’s direct game as O’Shea is strong in the air and I felt it would make us stronger. Actually, when he came on we controlled the game for a period and were closer to scoring the second goal. But Nelson slipped, we didn’t then Rotherham scored.”

Gomes on today’s substitutions: “It is easy to talk after the game. One minute before I changed McCleary he created a fantastic action, as did Ovie (Ejaria). The idea was to add offensive energy and both Callum (Harriott) and (Mo) Barrow played well.”

Is today an opportunity missed? “It’s like the Bolton game when we were winning until the 92nd minute but drew. You can talk about four points (dropped) but we cannot look to the past. What I know is we have one point more towards our target so it is a positive sign. We must use this to be better for the future.”

On Ovie Ejaria’s goal: “He’s a young player with great potential and he is showing it more in every game.”

Gomes also confirmed Jon Dadi Bodvarsson was ruled out today with a calf injury.