Set-piece goals cost Birmingham City dear

Mar 24 2008 By Colin Tattum

ALEX McLeish couldn't contain his dismay at the way in which Blues fell to Reading.

"It was very disappointing," said the manager. "Set-pieces have cost us dearly and the chances we had, we should have actually walked away with three points."

McLeish said Blues' marking was talked through during the interval, but Andre Bikey again got the better of Radhi Jaidi with 11 minutes left.

"It was something we tried to address at half-time, but it was the same player and same marker, so what do you do?

"Radhi is very disappointed in himself. He's experienced, got 90-odd caps, and knows in those situations he must do better."

After drawing level through Mauro Zarate, and with Reading wobbling, McLeish felt Blues could have secured a second away victory under his charge.

"Again, we showed our spirit and ability to fight back in getting an equaliser and, with Mikael Forssell's chance, could have gone on and won the game.

"Then we conceded the free-kick and not being able to deal with it again, it left me pretty floored."

Reading manager Steve Coppell said: "Both teams before the game realised what was at stake and that carried through into the football.

"Second half, they changed the way they played, scored the goal and looked more likely.

"We responded by changing our shape and the pace and power of Shane Long up front caused them enough of a problem to win a free-kick and it was pleasing to see the ball nestling in the back of the net from it.

"Then it was a case of holding on."