Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock admitted his side had been overrun by Reading as the Blades lost their grip on third place in the First Division.
Neil Warnock saw the game slip away from him
The Royals came from a goal down to win 3-1 at Bramall Lane and leapfrog Sheffield United in the top three.
Reading boss Alan Pardew chose not to attend the post-match press conference, despite seeing his side claim a fourth successive victory.
The two clubs clashed earlier in the season after Reading defender John Mackie was found guilty of making racist comments to United striker Carl Asaba.
These boys have not done bad this season
Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock
And they could now be on course for another meeting in the play-offs at the end of the season.
"It was disappointing as we got well and truly beaten in the end but I
thought it was a game we should have won," said Warnock.
"A second goal would have been enough
but they got a breakaway goal to equalise and it was an uphill battle after
"They have improved their squad since we last met them with the addition of
Steve Brown, Steven Sidwell and Luke Chadwick and they won at a canter in
"Our back four is better than that but I'm not going to name names.
just need to go away and work hard with the Norwich game coming up on Saturday.
"You can blame everything, the pitch, the ball, but we've just got to look in
the mirror and get on with it because these lads have not done bad this
season," Warnock added.