Shaun Goater apologised to his team-mates last night after Reading crashed out of the FA Cup.

The Royals went down 2-1 at home to Preston in their third round replay, Goater getting his name on the scoresheet with just four minutes remaining.

The Bermudian striker had two chances to score before finally finding the net but failed to hit the target.

On 78 minutes and with his side 2-0 down, he attacked a cross from Scott Murray but put the ball wide from six yards. Six minutes later he connected once again with his head, this time from an inswinging corner by Nicky Shorey, however, this time the ball went wide left from 18 yards.

Speaking to Reading's official website last night, Goater said he was upset at not being able to send his side into the next round.

"We're very disappointed with going out," he said. "In the first half we were poor but the gaffer (manager Steve Coppell) had words at half-time and it's the first time I've seen him animated like that.

"He woke us up and it was a different half-time team talk than normal. A few of us had a think and wanted to come out and give a better showing with more pride."

Fired up, Reading looked to get back in the game but having gone in at the break 1-0 down to Richard Cresswell's 27th minute strike, they then conceded another a minute after the restart, George Koumantarakis capitalising on a defensive mix-up.

That left Reading with a mountain to climb, but Goater gave them slim hope when he fired home a rebound from his own shot. However, it was to prove to be too little, too late.

"After the game, I said sorry to the lads," said Goater. "I had some really good opportunities and in any game they should win the match. I had two or three but wasn't able to capitalise on them.

"We threw the kitchen sink at them and got opportunities but we weren't hitting the target."

As the saying goes, Reading must now concentrate on the league.

"Now we go to (Nottingham) Forest and we'll try to get back to winning ways, starting there," Goater said.