Howard hailed after downing Donny

Howard, on loan from Sheffield United, had not featured in Reading's starting line-up for 13 games coming into this clash, but he turned this encounter with a superb performance.His fine cross created a first-half opener for Shane Long before he put the game beyond Doncaster with a well-taken finish 13 minutes from time.Billy Sharp gave the home side hope with a penalty in the 80th minute - after former Rovers' defender Matt Mills was dismissed for handball - but Reading survived a late onslaught to claim back-to-back league wins for the first time this season."Brian was excellent," McDermott said. "And that's not just today, that's everyday. He has come in every day and worked really hard."I cannot fault his attitude. He trains hard and is a good character to have around the place."He got a chance today and played superb. I was so pleased for him - scored one and made one. A great cross for the goal and a superb finish for his goal."The result was not enough to lift Reading out of the bottom three, but McDermott is satisfied they are heading in the right direction."We just have to keep trying to win the next game," he said. "We have done that today and I'm very happy."We play Plymouth at home (on Tuesday) in front of our own fans and we are excited. We are looking forward to playing."This was a big away win for us."The opening half-hour was scrappy, neither side looking particularly convincing in possession.Doncaster's Mark Wilson and James Coppinger both shot wide when presented with marginal opportunities, while Howard's 20-yard free-kick brought a superb save from Neil Sullivan at the other end.Howard then wasted a decent chance by heading wide, but he made amends six minutes before the break by creating the opener from the right flank.Long was the beneficiary of Howard's inswinging cross, but boss Sean O'Driscoll was less than impressed by the quality of marking which left the Reading player free to head his second league goal in as many games."I think we could have done better on both goals, to be honest," he said.Long then brought a good save from Sullivan as the game entered its 70th minute, before Howard made it 2-0 by rolling a low shot through a crowd of defenders.O'Driscoll said: "Neil has played extremely well today, but he might feel he could have done better with that one."But we came back into the game well. We never let our heads drop."Doncaster were handed a lifeline in the 80th minute when Mills was dismissed for apparently handling Gareth Roberts' shot and Sharp sent Adam Federici the wrong way from the spot.Substitute James Hayter nearly salvaged an unlikely draw in the 89th minute and O'Driscoll felt his side were worthy of more than a defeat."I think we are used to coming into press rooms having dominated, looking at positives," he said."We could have done better with the goals but I cannot fault anyone's effort."This league is so tight, you can walk off any game thinking you should have lost when you've won or won when you've lost."We try and maintain that players do the right things and as long as they do that we're happy."Sometimes results are in the lap of the gods, but overall I'm pleased with the way we played."

Source: Team_Talk