The Clarets moved to fifth in the league and now sit just a point behind Reading who have managed just one win on the road this season.
Reading's Kevin Doyle hit the post twice, first with a left-footed drive and then with a second-half header from a James Harper free-kick.
Andre Bikey also hit the woodwork and Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jensen produced a number of fine stops to keep the score at 0-0 going into the final 10 minutes.
Burnley fired a number of warning shots which suggested they just might edge it, before substitute Robbie Blake, who came on just shy of the hour mark, drifted away from three Reading defenders before finding the bottom-left corner of the net.
Asked whether it was his side's result of the season, Coyle replied: "I have no doubts about that, given everything that went on, the circumstances before the game and even during it.
"It just summed up everything I know about that group of players, the desire and the spirit they have for each other and how hard they are willing to work.
"They want to do well for themselves and for the football club."
The Clarets were forced to field a makeshift defence with Michael Duff and Clarke Carlisle both missing out.
But the Burnley boss insists he was happy with those who stepped in as cover and believed the Clarets gave as good as they got despite Reading creating the better chances.
"We lost Clarke Carlisle before the game and Michael Duff came into the game unwell having been vomiting all night," said Coyle.
"So we had to re-shuffle the whole team and change the system.
"But Reading started the first 10 minutes in the ascendancy and it was understandable given that we had changed a lot of things. But we missed the best chance of the game just before half-time through Martin Paterson.
"But on the balance of play we had just as many chances as Reading."
Coyle singled out Jensen for special praise after he topped a superb double save in the first half by tipping Bikey's header against the post after the interval.
"He has replicated today what he does every day in training," said Coyle.
"He has shown tonight why we believe he is a quality goalkeeper. But again he's there to make saves and that's what he did."
Reading manager Steve Coppell was not so happy after watching his side make it one point from a possible six, but did accept Jensen's performance proved the difference.
"He was terrific and made a couple of great saves. If the goal would have been a couple of inches wider. it would have been a comfortable game for us," said Coppell.
"In many ways I'd like to compliment my players but coming in with nothing from an away performance like that and the chances we had, we're all bitterly disappointed.
"If we continue to play and create as many chances as we did tonight then we'll be all right."
PA Sport