Reading caretaker boss Brian McDermott leapt to the defence of Simon Church after the young striker was sent off for celebrating his late equaliser at Ashton Gate.

Substitute Church had been booked for dissent while warming up in the first half and collected a second yellow card for racing to the Royals fans after flicking home Jimmy Kebe's 90th-minute cross to secure a 1-1 draw at Bristol City.

"I think the momentum of the other players took Simon into the crowd and he was unlucky to get a second caution," said McDermott.

"I didn't see what happened for the first yellow card, but it was very hard on the lad to be red carded after scoring such a great goal."

"The players gave me everything today and had Simon not been sent off I would have fancied our chances of winning the game in injury time with all 11 men."

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