HUNT HAPPY WITH ROYALS STALEMATE

Lowly hosts halt Clarets' title charge

- Richard King

NOEL Hunt paid tribute to his “amazing” Reading players after the relegation-threatened Royals held champions-elect Burnley in his first game at the helm.

The Reading U21s manager was taking charge of his first game as interim boss since the dismissal of Paul Ince on Tuesday.

Although the Royals remain in the relegation zone, ex-Reading player Hunt was encouraged by the result – and admitted getting emotional before the game.

“It’s probably the first time that it actually sunk in, what I was doing,” Hunt said. “Yes, I did get quite emotional out there.

“I had a look while the stadium was empty, to have a quiet moment and just take in the surroundings. And I thought ‘Jeez, I’m actually managing this team’.”

Hunt added: “It couldn’t have gone much better? Well, we could have won the game! No, I’m being greedy there.

“We were really good. The boys were amazing – the shape that they kept, the discipline that they showed and how they moved. It’s a good point for us.”