Derby County manager Steve McClaren upbeat despite FA Cup defeat

Derby County manager Steve McClaren has praised his side for their attacking approach during Saturday's defeat to Reading in the FA Cup.

The Rams were beaten 2-1 at Pride Park as a late goal from Yakubu sent Reading into the quarter-finals.

Despite being reduced to 10 men in the first half when Stephen Warnock was sent off, McClaren is pleased by how his team refused to let their numerical disadvantage affect them.

"We went for the win, we didn't want a replay and we very nearly got the win," he told BBC Sport.

"The quality of football, even with 10 men, was great and that was the important thing, keeping that up. We could have held for a draw but we didn't want to do that, we wanted to blow the game open and we almost pulled it off."

Derby are back in Championship action on Tuesday night when they travel to Rotherham United.