It would be easy for Reading manager Brian McDermott to get carried away with a 4-2 win against promotion rivals West Ham United.

Royals are four points clear of the Hammers after Kaspars Gorkss, Noel Hunt, Ian Harte and Mikele Leigertwood struck following Carlton Cole's opener.

Ricardo Vaz Te pulled things back to 3-2 before Leigertwood's stretched the gap for the second-placed visitors leaving them just two points behind leaders Southampton, who lost 3-0 away to Blackpool.

"I thought we showed real belief, quality and resilience," said pragmatic boss McDermott.

"We had to stay in the game, we were 1-0 down and not playing particularly well for 20 or 30 minutes, we knew we could play better. It's not easy going behind here, they could have kicked on, but we stayed in the game.

"We got that belief from the goal and then the second one before half time was a real plus for us. It got a bit nervy at 3-2, but we got a fourth and I felt we were good value.

"In the second half we played well with the ball, passed it well and we deserved to win. To come here and get four goals is credit to the lads."

West Ham are clearly feeling the pressure as their fans demand an instant return to the Premier League.

Reading, on the other hand, have exceeded all expectations this season and are taking nothing for granted.

"We just try to win games," continued McDermott.

"It's not easy coming here, but we try to win and play attractive football, we've got to be happy.

"We don't talk about pressure, we just talk about doing our best in every game. You can't look too far back or too far forward.

"We enjoy it. It's important our players do the same at a place like this. We've come out on top and it's absolute credit to the lads.

"Our fans will be proud of the players, I am sure. Everybody is playing for each other, there's such a good spirit around the group.

"Not just those who are playing, everyone in the squad, even if not travelling, we've got a really good bunch. My staff prepare the team really well and everything we need to do to get performances, we are getting.

"The fans, (3,000 of them), will have a good night, that's what football is all about. If I wasn't a manager I would be a supporter, it looked great behind that goal!

"I would have really enjoyed that going up the pub! We had a load of fans, they would have been in Reading town centre having a good night and looking forward to Friday (at home to Leeds United).

"We had such a great following, it was fantastic at the end of the game."

Injuries forced Jem Karacan off after a clash with Danny Collins and his replacement Jay Tabb was also substituted after he took a blow to the ribs.

And McDermott added: "Jem got a bloody nose, I think he'll be okay for Friday. Jay took one to the ribs.

"Players were going down like flies. Hal Robson-Kanu came on and did well, Benik Afobe too and Jobi McAnuff went into the middle and played a real captain's part.

"I felt sorry for Tabby coming on and getting a rib injury, they're the type of things you have to put up with playing any football - the Championship in particular."

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