READING FC boss Jaap Stam slammed the Royals’ fixture list after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Rotherham United.

Royals played their second game in three days after beating Steve Bruce’s Aston Villa 3-1 at Villa Park on Saturday.

A lacklustre first-half display saw Reading a goal down at half-time, but goals from loanee Lewis Grabban and midfielder John Swift sealed an important victory in the race for a play-off place.

But Dutchman Stam fumed at the lack of time to rest between the two matches, adding: “Every game in this division is difficult but it doesn’t help when you have to play two games in three days.

“A lot of people say well you’re playing Rotherham they’re relegated but it’s still not easy because they have nothing to lose.

“They started very aggressively and we didn’t. We looked like we needed to wake up a bit at the beginning of the game.

“When we went a goal down they changed their formation and it takes a lot of mentality to keep going, stay patient and eventually get the equaliser.”

Reading did level the scoreline in the second-half thanks to a stunning volley by Grabban.

The striker used the pace of the ball following a delightful Garath McCleary cross to leave Millers’ stopper O’Donnell routed to the spot as he bagged his second goal of the season.

Stam continued: “Lewis Grabban is full of confidence and he has great technique.

“We’ve seen him finish in training sessions and when he came on he was very important for us.

“We need players to come off of the bench and make an impact and that’s exactly what he did.”