Reading boss Steve Clarke hails 'crucial' win against Brighton & Hove Albion

Reading boss Steve Clarke has hailed his side's 2-1 win over Championship rivals Brighton & Hove Albion as "crucial".

The result, which came courtesy of a Jamie Mackie brace, moved the Royals up to 16th place in the table and sent them four points clear of their opponents down in 19th.

"It gives us a lift in the league and that's what we needed. We knew the game was crucial because Brighton were just below us in the league, so it was a big win for us," BBC Sport quotes Clarke as saying.

"A home performance was important because we had lost the last three and not scored any goals. But I thought Jamie deservedly put us in front.

"We showed what we showed in recent weeks - grit, character and determination - got ourselves in front again and never looked like losing after that."

Chris O'Grady cancelled out Mackie's opener with a 53rd-minute penalty, but Brighton were unable to find an equaliser despite creating a flurry of chances in the closing stages.