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Many fans missed much of Saturday's clash with Preston at Deepdale due to atrocious traffic on the motorways. The Supporters and Young Royals coaches did not arrive at the ground until half time, to find Reading 1-0 down.
Speaking at the post match press conference Alan Pardew said: "Our fans were fantastic again tonight, and I want to dedicate this win to the fans who travelled up to Preston and didn't get up there for the start of the game because of the traffic.
"We put in a teriffic performance against a team who were brave, pushed both full backs on and had a good go at us. We had to defend well at times tonight."
Pardew didn't reserve his praise for the travelling fans either, he was quick to praise the displays of the two Nickys, Forster and Shorey. Left-back Shorey, formerly of Leyton Orient scored his first ever goal to give his side the win.
Pards commented: "I suppose it was a night for an unexpected hero - in Nick Shorey we couldn't have a nicer guy for that.
"We stuck at it, had loads of chances and even missed a penalty, I was beginning to think it was going to be one of those nights.
"Shorey gets bundles of goals in training an tonight's effort might set him up to show his real stuff. I didn't recommend him for the under 21s just because I think he can sit there and defend - he's got a lot going for him and I'm very pleased for him."
The Royals are in action at the Madejski Stadium again in Saturday's all-ticket game against Millwall, kicking off at 12pm. Alan Pardew believes a great atmosphere is vital if the Royals are to get a result.
He added: "I hope we have a really big crowd and a great atmosphere, because the players deserve that."
