Chris Powell watched Town’s FA Cup hopes fall flat and admitted : “We didn’t perform at all.”

The manager said the home fans in a 7,980 third-round crowd at the John Smith’s Stadium deserved better but insisted he put out a side strong enough to beat Championship rivals Reading.

There were two changes from the 2-1 home league win over Bolton Wanderers.

Nahki Wells partnered James Vaughan from the off while Powell handed Adam Hammill a first start under his management.

Jacob Butterfield and Sean Scannell dropped to the bench, which included Oscar Gobern as a late replacement after Danny Ward injured his back during the warm-up.

Powell, who had the added frustration of a late red card for midfielder Jonathan Hogg, went with a 4-4-2 formation.

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“I know it can be difficult in these type of cup games against sides from the same division,” he said.

“But I went with a strong side and I wanted it to happen for us.

“People were clamouring for James Vaughan and Nahki Wells to start together, and Adam Hammill hasn’t featured for a while.

“I thought the opportunity was right and we had a good enough XI out there to get something.”

Powell continued: “The two sides pretty much cancelled each other out and in the end the only real bit of quality in the game swung it.

“We needed more urgency. When we play well, it’s because we start on the front foot and stay that way.

“And it’s because we manage match situations well, like we did against Nottingham Forest, Brentford and Bolton at home.

“Regardless of formations, that’s how we have to play.”

On the Vaughan-Wells partnership, the boss pointed out: “It clearly didn’t work well. Working well means them getting service and getting into the right areas.

“It was tough because Reading played quite deep and they didn’t get much room. “And our approach play into them wasn’t of our usual standard.”