Reading boss Ruben Selles says his side showed “character” during their 2-1 victory against Wanderers.

Dion Charles opened the scoring, but the Royals hit back through goals from Charlie Savage and Caylan Vickers after the break to secure the three points.

Things went from bad to worse for the Whites in stoppage time when Eoin Toal was shown a second yellow card by referee Lee Swabey.

Reading were hit with a further three-point deduction by the EFL earlier this week, but Selles insists their “team spirit” was clear to see against Ian Evatt’s side.

“That was what we wanted,” he told The Reading Chronicle. “It is just the amount of effort we have to put in to get it is always a lot.

“I am very proud of the players. They showed not only football but character during the entire week.

“They focused on the game, and I think the victory was important, but it was also about the way we do things and how we get the victories. More than the victory, it was the team spirit today.”

The game was halted during the first half as Reading fans threw tennis balls onto the pitch in protest against owner Dai Yongge amid the club’s issues off the field.

“The fans have been brilliant for us for the entire season,” the boss continued. “I think we have a game and people can always see the level of effort and commitment.

“They have been supporting me and the team in every situation, when we were leading and when we were losing.

“Taking the protests aside, I think we felt their support. If we want to do important things, we need to do it together.”

It was Reading’s third home win of the campaign, although the Royals still find themselves in the drop zone due to their recent points deduction.