Royals boss Mark Bowen said that his side lacked a 'little bit of guile and that little bit of quality' following Reading's 1-0 defeat against Brentford at Griffin Park.

Bowen's side were coming into the game on the back of an impressive spell, notching ten points from a possible 12 following his appointment.

The new manager tasted defeat for the first time, after a solitary Ollie Watkins goal ensured that Reading would be travelling back down the M4 empty-handed.

Mark Bowen praised his sides aggresion and desire in the game, but lamented a 'loss of concentration' which ultimately led to the solitary goal.

He said: "We always know it is fine margins which make a difference. I wanted aggression in our play and desire in our play and we had that, I'm delighted with that.

"We maybe did not have that little bit of guile and that little bit of quality in the final third at the right time.

"We switched off a little bit for their goal. We recognized it was going to be a tight game and one goal might swing it, we had ample opportunities going into the final third with the ball.

"You're searching today for that little bit of something different to go and create a goal for us. We had a great chance in the first half with George Puscas and you'd expect him to put it away, he knows that as well. Strikers live and die by their goals but I am happy with the work he put in for the team. 

"We had a bit of a knock back at half time. Sam Baldock came in and was feeling his hamstring so we made the change early in the second half because he felt it was going to o at any moment, if it hadn't already. 

"At the start of the game John Swift was feeling his groin so I'm delighted he has got through a tough game like that without any reaction. It is part and parcel of the game [injuries] and we have to make sure we adapt to that as a squad.

"I'm dissapointed for the lads. The game plan was there, but perhaps a little bit of a lack of concentration cost us.

"It did seem to me that everything was a nearly ball. Other days it will come off."

When asked whether he thought that the international break had come at the wrong time for his players, Bowen said: "Probably at his time on a Saturday I'll echo that thought as well.

"It happens, going into the game we were really confident and we got to half-time with a real confidence in the dressing room.

"We are better than what we showed today in the final third."