JOHN Swift said it is vital the Royals keep Yann Kermorgant fit after the Frenchman’s stellar cameo helped Reading FC turn around a deficit to win a thrilling game against Brentford last night.

Royals started the game in sensational fashion with some slick passing, and took a deserved 22nd-minute lead when Swift blasted home his eighth goal of the campaign aftrer brilliant work from Liam Kelly and Garath McCleary in the build-up.

But things quickly fell apart and some sloppy football from Jaap Stam's men saw Brentford go on the front foot.

Swift admitted the Royals were lucky to go into the break with their one-goal lead still in tact, but it soon got worse when Brentford scored twice in the space of three minutes to stun the home crowd.

Reading's defence was all at sea when lively substitute Florian Jozefzoon set up Jota's 63rd-minute equaliser.

Then Jota turned provider for Lasse Vibe's goal which gave Dean Smith's Bees a 2-1 lead.

Stam turned to his bench for inspiration and threw on three substitutes all at once with 17 minutes to go, including Kermorgant.

The Frenchman made a dramatic impact, supplying a superb pass for McCleary to cross for Danny Williams' 77th minute equaliser.

Then four minutes later Kermorgant claimed a vital assist in Roy Beerens' winner after pressure from McCleary's had spooked Bees keeper Daniel Bentley, before he ended the match as a makeshift centre-back as Stam's men soaked up late pressure from the visitors.

Speaking after the game, Swift told the Chronicle: “Yann made a massive impact, he’s a big influence in the changing room with with ability and the experience he has.

“His ability in the air is better than most of the boys in the team.

"When he goes up front he’s effective but when he drops deep to almost a centre back he’s even more effective, he wins so many headers.

“He’s doing so well and if we can keep him fit I know he’ll keep performing for us.”

Swift opened the scoring after a sensational pass from Kelly released McCleary down the right hand side.

McCleary’s cross was nearly turned in by Brentford’s Maxime Colin, only for the ball to cannon off of the post and fall into Swift’s path.

The 21-year-old made no mistake from inside the box as he crashed the ball into the back of the net.

“Every goal is good for me,” declared the Chelsea academy product, who spent the 2015/16 season on loan at Brentford.

“It helps build confidence. I hope I can keep getting them and keep getting in the right place at the right time.

“There was no disrespect with the celebration, all the boys know that. It was heat of the moment, you score and you celebrate with your fans.”

Swift said the victory was a vital three points for the Royals, and praised the character of the team to turn around a 2-1 defici.

He continued: “I’m sure it was a good game to watch.

“The first 20 minutes we were on top and they got the rest of the half, they put us under pressure.

“We did well to go in at 1-0 up in the first half.

“We came out a bit sloppy and went 2-1 down, I think we lacked concentration but they players who came on did themselves proud and helped us turn the game around.

“Going from 1-0 up to 2-1 down in that short space of time isn’t what we should be doing, but it was a great show of character to win the game.”