LIAM MOORE revealed Monday's 2-2 draw with Cardiff City "felt like a loss" after Reading FC squandered a two-goal lead against the high-flying Bluebirds.

Jaap Stam's side's lead was picked apart by Neil Warnock's determined Cardiff following late goals from Joe Bennett and Lee Tomlin.

The equaliser came after Sol Bamba's 91st minute header crashed against the crossbar and fell straight to midfielder Tomlin, who fired in off the underside of the bar.

And 24-year-old Moore admitted the late leveller left a sour taste in his mouth after a Callum Paterson own goal and Mo Barrow strike had put Stam's men in pole position.

"That was the Championship summed up in one game," stressed Moore, who is believed to be a target for West Ham in January.

"We had a lot of possession and did very well in the first half, but in the second half we invited a bit of pressure and ultimately it told and they got the goals.

"There were a few times last season when the ball has cannoned off the bar and it fell to one of our players and we cleared it.

"It feels like a loss."

Reading were cruising at half-time thanks to an own-goal by Paterson and a fine Modou Barrow strike from the edge of the box.

Royals could have added a third early in the second-half when an unmarked Yann Kermorgant fired straight at Neil Etheridge from close range.

And Moore bemoaned Reading's finishing on the night.

He continued: "We are a difficult team to play against when we get into our flow.

"We had some decent chances and then at the start of the second half, despite being under pressure we still created opportunities.

"I think we're a bit guilty of not taking them."

Royals could have snatched a late winner at Madejski Stadium when skipper Paul McShane's header crashed against the post deep into stoppage time.

"I saw the ball go past me," continued Moore. "Whenever I see Macca running in I'm always confident that he'll at least make contact with the ball.

"He said he maybe jumped a little bit too early so he couldn't get as much direction on the ball as he wanted to.

"To snatch it at the end would have been great but we can't dwell on it too much."

Reading face Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Saturday (3pm).