BRIAN McDermott bemoaned referee Fred Graham’s decision not to award a penalty to Reading FC in Tuesday night’s defeat to Hull City, writes Courtney Friday.

With the game locked at 1-1, Royals thought they had been given a spot-kick when Deniss Rakels appeared to have been tripped from behind by Hull defender Harry Maguire.

Graham initially awarded a penalty but, after consulting with his linesman, he changed his decision and gave Reading a corner instead.

It was a huge let-off for Hull as Maguire could also have been red carded as he was the last defender back.

And McDermott felt Graham’s bizarre actions cost the Royals dearly after a fourth successive league defeat.

“We didn’t get any points, again, it’s a horrible run at the moment,” he admitted.

“I can’t believe we haven’t got anything out of the last four games.

“There was a big decision to be made on the penalty, the ref has given it and the linesman hasn’t, so that was a tough one to take.

“I think if we go 2-1 up there and then, the result might have been different.

“The referee has given it. Deniss is going to shoot and he has gone down, although it was very difficult for me to see from a long way away.

“He has given the penalty and then he has taken it away.”

The loss left Reading 15th in the Championship table ahead of a summer of intensive rebuilding.

“We haven’t got that winning feeling here, we haven’t had it for a couple of years now and we need to get that back,” added McDermott.

“There were signs of Deniss and Yann Kermorgant’s partnership, so that was a plus. I think they will both score goals for us.

“But we need to learn to be more resolute and win those tight games 1-0, and when we go in front we need to keep the lead.

“We have to build a squad that is capable of finishing in the top six of this division. It’s going to be a tough league next season.

“We need a bunch of lads going completely in the same direction.

“We have done that in the past and we need to do it again.”

Meanwhile, Reading FC Women return to Women’s Super League 1 action this Sunday when they travel to Notts County Ladies.

The match at Meadow Lane kicks off at 5pm.

New signing Jade Boho-Sayo has scored three goals in her first two games for the Royals.