Brendan Rodgers criticised referee Andy Haines after he saw his Reading side throw away three points at Derby County and striker Shane Long was shown a straight red.

Iceland under-21 Gylfi Sigurdsson fired Royals ahead with his second goal in as many games in the 56th minute, but their lead was short-lived thanks to a Paul Green equaliser just four minutes later.

The Ram’s experienced target-man Rob Hulse then put the game to bed in the 72nd minute after yet more confusion at the back in Royals’ box.

The defeat sees Rodgers’ side slip one place in the Championship table to 21st and they might be without Long for up to three games after his carding for lashing out at Frederik Stoor.

After the game Rodgers said: “It was a definite sending off and it was a poor tackle by Shane.

“In his defence though, the referee was poor because it was a free kick before, the defender has clearly fouled Shane and you can see that.

“When Shane went to clear the ball he catches his foot, which is disappointing as he was working well before that and put pressure on their back four.”

The 36-year-old manager was also disappointed at his side’s lapse in concentration to concede so quickly after they deservedly took the lead at Pride Park.

Rodgers continued: “When we went in front we were in control of the game, but after that we didn’t look very good.

“It was probably three points thrown away even though Derby is a difficult place to come to, but the two goals we conceded were very poor from our perspective.

“I don’t like to comment too much on the referee to be honest and would prefer to focus on my own players and our performance, but he wasn’t the best.

“We’re disappointed to lose, but I can’t be too disappointed over the last four games.”

Reading were also shocked by an injury to Brian Howard who may need an operation on a sus-pected broken jaw.

Derby’s disgraceful mascot Rammie the Ram should be sent straight to the slaughterhouse for his actions after goading the midfielder when he was flat out on the playing surface.

Rammie, however, regretted his actions after the game.

He told the Post: “I didn’t know how serious it was at the time and I would like to apologise to Brian Howard.”

Reading threw everything at Derby in the dying stages, but Clough’s side hung on to the points and move up into 16th place.

Attendance: 30,174

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