BURNLEY boss Eddie Howe felt his side were unlucky to lose as their miserable recent record against Reading continued last night.

An 11th-minute goal from former Blackburn Rovers striker Jason Roberts gave Reading a 1-0 win in front of the Sky Sports cameras at the Madejski Stadium, as the Clarets missed a chance to close the gap on the Championship play-off places.

It was Burnley’s fifth consecutive defeat against the Royals since their famous play-off semi final triumph over the Berkshire club in 2009.

The result moved Reading up to third in the Championship table but left Burnley, who twice hit the woodwork during the game, in 10th position.

The Clarets had been hoping to close the four-point gap to the play-off places but have now played two games more than sixth-placed Birmingham.

All four teams immediately above Burnley – Brighton, Middlesbrough, Hull and Birmingham – have no game this weekend because of FA Cup fifth round fixtures.

But Eddie Howe’s side, who were unable to build on Tuesday’s 2-0 win at home to Barnsley, could now slip a place to 11th this afternoon if Leeds defeat struggling Doncaster at Elland Road.

Reading, who won 1-0 at Turf Moor earlier in the season, claimed a fourth straight victory.

Howe said: “I thought we were excellent in the first half, we passed and moved really well and I thought we created enough chances to get something out of the game. To lose was really hard on us.

“The second half Reading defended very well and broke the game up.

“But we look at the chances we’ve had in the game and I think we had more than enough to get something out of the game.

“We have to bounce back from it. It’s disappointing because we could have closed the gap on Reading but there’s still plenty of games left and plenty of points to play for.”