Royals crashed 5-2 at Hillsborough to a Michail Antonio-inspired Owls - their heaviest loss of the campaign.

Now sixth-placed Royals go to eighth-placed Owls tomorrow (3pm ko) searching for a fourth league win in a row.

And midfield enforcer Akpan admits last season’s debacle is very much at the front of their minds.

“We just took a hiding” he confessed. “It’s not often we get beaten like that so it sticks in the memory. We want to turn that around.

“I guess it was one of those where you just have to look back and reflect. It was a bit unexpected and bit of a freak result. All we could do was dust ourselves down and get on with it.”

Millwall threatened to end Reading’s three-match winning streak on Tuesday night until Simon Cox popped up with a late winner.

And Akpan warned against complacency, insisting: “We made it hard for ourselves. We were cruising then we sat too deep and dropped off them.

“They exploited the space and scored two goals, so it was good to win in the end.

“It’s a lesson to learn and it’s always enjoyable to play in a winning team.”

Meanwhile, Royston Drenthe is prevented from playing against Reading this weekend as part of his loan move to Hillsborough.

Akpan, who is set to keep his place in central midfield, warned: “They’re a strong side and they’re at home. Royston isn’t allowed to play against us but they’ll be strong regardless.”