McDermott hails honest officials

Reading manager Brian McDermott has praised last weeks officials against Blackpool, after Mr Brown and his officials admitted their crucial mistake in the 1-0 loss.

With the scores at 0-0 during the game, Welsh striker Simon Church scored but was adjudged offside by the linesman, when replays seemed to show he was several yards onside.

McDermott told the official RFC site: ''Nigel had a really good conversation with him, the ref rang him on Sunday morning and there's a lot to be said for that. The referee held his hands up and said he and his linesman got it wrong, that's a good thing and you've got to give him credit for that.'

'There should be more transparency as far as refs are concerned. I certainly move on more quickly because of it, I rang the main guy for the referees and said he did that, he deserves a lot of credit.'

The official for today's game against West Ham will be Mr Neil Swarbrick and the Preston-born referee is on the Select List of referees that officiate in the Premier League.

The last game he took charge of the Royals was our 5-2 win over Middlesbrough last season thanks to a brace from Ian Harte. He also gave a penalty to the visitors after Mills fouled Lita, which is hardly surprising.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.