READING FC striker Sam Baldock bemoaned Royals’ sloppy defending in the wake of today’s 2-2 draw with League 1 side Blackpool.

Royals went behind twice in the FA Cup third round and could have conceded a third had striker Armand Gnanduillet’s audacious Panenka penalty not left him red in the face.

Ex-Brighton forward Baldock cancelled out Nathan Delfounso’s opener for the Tangerines but Reading were quickly pegged back by Gnanduillet.

Danny Loader’s clever flick put Mark Bowen’s side back on even terms but the home side could not add a third and the Royals now face a Tuesday night trip to Blackpool on 14th January.

Baldock said: “We felt we could have won but we conceded some sloppy goals.

“Luckily, a slice of luck came our way with the penalty.

“We look forward to being in the hat and getting up to Blackpool to hopefully get through to the next round.”

Baldock, who recently returned from injury, took his goal well in the 56th minute after being played through by the talented Michael Olise.

Speaking about the 18-year-old’s ability, Baldock continued: “He’s a talented player.

“I said to him before the game that I would get him an assist if he got one of those passes in.

“I pointed the way and shouted and he put it exactly where I wanted it.”

“I took it early and hit it across the goalkeeper and fortunately it went in the corner.”

Bowen fielded a second-string side against Simon Grayson’s Blackpool and handed debuts to Romani Medford-Smith and Andre Burley.

And despite missing out on the win, Baldock stressed Reading’s youngsters will learn a lot from the experience.

“The manager decided to rest a few because we’ve had an intense period,” he said.

“It was pleasing to see some young blood get a chance and hopefully they will all kick on.

“I think they showed glimpses today and they will have learned a lot.

"It’s not always going to be pretty football and sometimes they’re going to have to show their metal.”