New Reading manager Mark Bowen insisted his side deserved their 1-0 victory over Preston North End at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

Matt Miazga's 96th minute winner gave Bowen the perfect start in his new job, with the team recording their first win in the Championship since August.

The victory saw Reading move away from the drop zone and Bowen was delighted his players came away with a gutsy win under their belts.

He said: "I think it was deserved.

"Sometimes you come into the job as a manager and you end up with the enthusiasm for bombarding players with tactics and I probably did too much of that, if I am being honest.

"We wanted to try and get the ball forward quicker into the strikers and we almost went too much of that in the first half and we forgot we are a footballing side.

"At half-time I asked them to be a bit more patient and look for that extra pass and stay all the ball a bit longer and I think we did that.

"It was a scrappy game but I said to the guys there have been too many times in the past few months where we have been chasing games.

"It is difficult to be chasing games in any league, especially this one. I said at the break I will settle for 0-0 after 70 minutes.

"I think the fans going into the last 15 minutes, they really get behind the team and I always felt we would be in the ascendency towards the back end and I think we deserved it and if any team looked like scoring, it was us."

Ovie Ejaria was in sublime form for the Royals and the on-loan Liverpool playmaker was praised for his performance by Bowen.

He added: "The talent that the lad has got is amazing.

"It is my job and the team's job to get him on the ball as much as we can.

"He is a huge talent for us. It wasn't just Ovie though. I thought the midfield three were great with John Swift and Pele too."

Lucas Joao and Lucas Boye were missing through injury and Bowen confirmed the duo were set for an extended spell on the sideline, with Andy Rinomhota missing the match through illness.

He said: "Lucas Joao has gone away for a break because he is going to be out for five to six weeks with a crack on his foot.

"Lucas Boye has a Grade 1 tear on his abductor muscle so he will be out for three to four weeks at least."