Shaun Goater says his current goal famine is his worst in five years.

The Bermudian striker, who signed for First Division Reading in the summer, scored four times in his first six games but has been unable to find the way to goal in his last five.

Although he played a part in Reading's opening goal against Bradford in Saturday's 2-2 draw, he was at fault for the score that brought the team's level at 1-1, his back pass being intercepted by Bradford player Paul Evans who curled home from 20 yards. The 33-year-old did his best to redress the balance but saw a chance cleared off the line towards the end of the match.

"I'm not one to make excuses and the manager leaving certainly has not played its part," he said prior to Saturday's game in reference to the departure to West Ham of Alan Pardew. "Had I scored then my performances wouldn't even be mentioned, but all strikers have these runs and I will just keep going, plugging away and keep working hard.

"This is my worst run for a while. I think you have to go back five years when I first went to Manchester City for such a run, but I will not make excuses.

"I know the goals will start to come if I carry on getting in the right places."

Meanwhile, the wait for a new manager at the Madejski Stadium goes on.

Brighton manager Steve Coppell is mulling over the switch after being interviewed last week.

Brighton are currently top of the Second Division and the Albion boss admitted on the club's official website: "I am torn. I have got something great going here.

"If we had the ground it wouldn't be an issue," he added in reference to an ongoing saga over a new stadium for the club.

"Without meaning to, I have been put in a position. I don't want to upset anyone, and I am just a football manager who wants to get on with his trade.

"I was put in a position to speak with the Reading people. I did that on Wednesday, and I suppose the best way of putting it was that nothing was conclusive. I have said it to my players - I don't know what is going to happen."