READING FC winger Modou Barrow refused to accept the plaudits after his first-half header helped Royals snatch a vital 1-0 win against Preston North End this afternoon (Saturday).

Barrow’s 10th goal of the season was enough for Paul Clement to maintain a perfect home record since taking over at Madejski Stadium in March.

The fleet-footed forward crept in at the far post to get on the end of Jon Dadi Bodvarsson’s flick-on in the 12th minute.

Royals then had to defend for their lives as Alex Neil’s Lillywhites threw the kitchen sink at Reading for most of the second half.

Clement’s side held on to claim their second win in three games and their first win at home on a Saturday this season.

But Barrow, who has enjoyed a fine season since making the switch to Berkshire from Premier League side Swansea City last summer, insisted it was a team effort.

“I’m always happy to score but the most important thing is to get wins and keep ourselves in the Championship,” he stated.

“We’re happy to get a win on a Saturday. It’s been a difficult season but the result today was great so hopefully we can carry on for the remainder of the campaign.

“It’s massive for us to have the fans onside. We were struggling a bit at times but they were cheering and that gave us energy and power to keep going.

“It’s important to have them in our corner. We’re happy to see the stadium starting to fill and they’re believing in us.”

Clement’s side looked resilient once again as they survived a late Preston onslaught to hold on to all three points.

And Barrow continued: “We have the quality to play out from the back but you can’t always do it.

“The situation we’re in now we just need to build confidence.

“We’re happy with the tactics we have been given.”

The win takes Reading five points above the Championship relegation zone.

Royals now turn their attention to Tuesday when they travel to Craven Cottage to face high-flying Fulham FC.

Barrow concluded: “We want to go to Fulham now and give the same amount of effort. It’s our second clean sheet in three games so we want to go there and get something.

“They are a really good team and they’re in good form but we believe we can get something.”