The Royals boss watched on from the West Brom dugout as Reading scored three times in the final eight minutes to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory in January 2013.

A Romelu Lukaku brace either side of half-time had seemingly put the Baggies on course for victory, until a Reading late show.

Jimmy Kebe reduced the deficit in the 82nd minute, before Adam Le Fondre fired home from the penalty spot in the 88th minute.

It seemed like Royals had rescued an unlikely point until they went one better and netted the winner courtesy of Pavel Pogrebnyak.

The game kick started a fantastic period for Brian McDermott’s Reading as they took 10 points from a possible 12 - but it wasn’t enough to help them avoid relegation.

Clarke praised the Reading squad and supporters for their part in that comeback, but admits it was a game that his side should never have lost.

“That was what I refer to as a car-crash game,” he reflected. “It was a game we should’ve won comfortably. We were leading 2-0 with less than 10 minutes to go.

“It should’ve been more than two as the game slipped away from us very quickly.

“What it did show me was the power of Reading at home. Once they got a sniff at 2-1, that team went for the kill and managed to win the game 3-2.

“Hopefully that’s something I can instil in the team.”

He added: “The supporters got a sniff that West Brom were rocking and got right behind the team. They drove the team forward and helped them escape from jail for 3 points.

“If the home support can get right behind you, make the place intimidating, shout for every decision, pressure the officials and encourage the players then it can only be a positive thing.

“Hopefully the Madejski Stadium will be bouncing at the start on Saturday and if we do the business on the pitch then it’ll be bouncing at the end.”