READING manager Steve Clarke was at a loss to explain his side’s poor display against Leeds United at the Madejski Stadium last night.

The visitors went closest to opening the scoring during the first half, Steve Morison hitting the post as Reading struggled to create chances.

Luke Murphy put Leeds ahead on 63 minutes, his speculative long-range effort deceiving Adam Federici. Danny Williams went closest to levelling, but his angled drive was kept out by visiting goalkeeper Marco Silvestri and Sam Byram’s late header made sure Leeds went home with all three points.

Clarke said: “I’m not sure why we were so lacklustre. It was very strange and is difficult to work out. We just didn’t fire tonight.

“It was not a great game. It was very scrappy and I always felt that the first goal was going to be crucial. It was a very disappointing night after having had such a good spell recently.”

The Royals will be looking to bounce back on Saturday, when they travel to Championship high-flyers Derby County with a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup up for grabs.