CITY endured another frustrating afternoon on their travels at Reading last Saturday.

Manager Lee Johnson couldn’t hide his annoyance post-match as he lamented both City’s finishing and some dubious refereeing decisions.

He described the defeat as a “gut-wrencher” and whilst we didn’t help ourselves being 2-0 down inside 20 minutes we were certainly the victims of at least two really poor decisions by the officials.

City’s huge travelling support of some 3,500 fans were left dumbfounded on 13 minutes when a low ball was played into the City box and Reading forward Dominic Samuel took a tumble in front of Hordur Magnusson.

Whether there was contact or not is debatable but certainly there was no tackle made or intent of malice on the part of the Icelandic defender.

The referee seemed to agree however his assistant who was been shouted out to award a penalty by a nearby Reading player caved in to the pressure and advised the referee to award a penalty.

McCleary stepped up for the home side to take the spot kick which Fielding initially saved but unfortunately the ball rebounded into the path of the taker who made no mistake second time around.

City could have no complaints about Reading’s second which came just a few minutes later.

Gunter hooked the ball across to Beerens who hit a sweet left footed volley past the helpless Fielding.

City should have got back in the game before half-time as they had several chances.

The best came when Paterson crossed for Reid who got a touch at the near post but Al Habsi in the Reading goal miraculously kept the ball out.

City remained a threat for the second period and in total we had 24 shots at goal throughout the 90 minutes.

O’Neill fired in late on for City and we rallied in the final few minutes.

Then, inexplicably in the dying moments of the game, a Reading player very obviously and very deliberately controlled the ball in his own penalty area using his arm however neither the referee or his assistant pointed to the spot to sum up an irritating afternoon at the Madejski.

This Saturday City must look to get back to winning ways against Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich Town who have been struggling this season (3pm).