Reading FC boss Mark Bowen was left delighted by the resolute nature of his team's win over Charlton Athletic at The Valley.

An early penalty from George Puscas was enough to give Bowen's men all three points, which guaranteed Reading's Championship status for another year. 

Speaking after the game, Bowen admitted his side's performance wasn't the most aesthetically pleasing - but he was delighted nevertheless.

"I'm pleased because it is another away win and a clean sheet again.

I said to the guys after, we're going into the future and we've got to be a team which can battle and not always play free flowing football.

"Today was about our heart, resolve and determination. It wasn't a case of hanging on but they put us under a lot of pressure. In the first half they had 17 or 18 crosses into our box.

"The more we can do that the better. That's what all good sides are built on. We know the margins are tight. We had to make sure we were defensively solid."

Bowen confirmed that he felt his side did have the rub of the green from the referee on Saturday afternoon.

"I felt a bit sorry for Lee Bowyer [Charlton Athletic's manager]. It was one of those days where they were screaming for things, maybe on another day they would have got the decisions.

"They say it evens itself out throughout the season - I'm not a big advocate of that.

"Those in the bottom half usually suffer the most. I did feel for him as there were a few decisions I'd raise my eyebrows to but it's happened to us in the past and we'll take what we can get."