JOEY van den Berg claimed Reading FC put in their best performance of the season after a lively 2-2 draw with Brighton at Madejski Stadium.

The Dutchman had an incident-packed afternoon after scoring a first-half own goal and receiving a red card for a second booking late in the game.

Jaap Stam's men led through a John Swift free-kick in the second minute, only for van den Berg to head into his own net six minutes later.

Anthony Knockaert then put Brighton in front less than a minute into the second-half, but Royals skipper Paul McShane grabbed his side a point with a super finish in the 59th minute.

And van den Berg was encouraged his Reading's display, saying: “We were unlucky not to win. We hit the bar and their keeper made some big saves. I thought we were the better team, but it wasn't meant to be today.

“I think it was our best performance of the season in terms of consistency, but it shows that if you lose concentration for a moment you can concede goals.”

Van den Berg was also keen to protest his innocence over his own goal, claiming referee Mike Jones missed a clear foul in the build-up.

“I was upset for the own goal,” he declared. “I was trying to head it the other way but I felt two hands in my back.

“I was very surprised the referee didn't blow his whistle, but I don't think he was the strongest referee. It was disappointing.

“There are a lot of eyes on the pitch and I think it was clear to everyone that I was pushed in the back.”

Yet van den Berg also accepted Reading must sharpen up for the second half, having conceded only moments after the restart once again this season.

“We started the second half really badly again,” he stated. “Maybe we need to ask the FA if we can play 90 minutes straight and don't go to the dressing room at half time.

“It's something we really need to work on, but we showed really good strength after their second goal and kept playing our own game.

“I think Brighton didn't know what to do about it. We created lots of chances and overall it was a good comeback.”