Reading FC manager Veljko Paunovic was proud of his team in the second-half after grinding out a 1-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers at the Madejski.

In a tight affair, a solitary goal from Lucas Joao was the difference between the two sides - a result which takes Reading three points clear at the top of the table.

Speaking after the game, Paunovic was proud of his sides response after a below-par first half showing.

"We learned a lot from this game, it was hard for us the way they played - especially the first half.

"They did a very good job and were organised and motivated.

“The first half was theirs, they imposed themselves.

"We reacted in the second half and adjusted our intensity and mentality. It was a fantastic reaction from the team.

“Sometimes you have to win ugly, and today was that day.

“They were very vocal and on the sideline. We reacted and matched them, but all the credit to the players who reacted in the proper way and played good football.

“We had to get out of our comfort zone.

"We compete always and you can get comfortable at that level so in the second half we had to push a couple of levels more.

"That with some tactical adjustments and keeping a good shape helped us.

"I think we needed fresh blood, fresh legs - and the talent Semedo and Esteves bought onto the field.

"We'd already started to exploit the left side, it was the right moment to overload the opponent.

"They created opportunities and we created from that side in the second half."

Paunovic also confirmed that striker Sam Baldock is likely to be out until after the next internation break, after sustaining a calf injury.