Why Reading boss described Sheffield United as a 'top-class side' after FA Cup clash

Championship side Reading gave a good account of themselves against the Blades, who required an extra-time winner from Billy Sharp to book their place in the last eight.

And Bowen said: "It's hard to take, when you put that much effort into the game and the way the game developed.

"We knew at times we were playing a top-class side who've carried a lot before them in the Premier League this year.

"When the game settled down after a terrible start, we played our own stuff and for large periods of the game, took the game to them.

"As a coach and a manager I'm disappointed because the two goals were from crosses and we do a lot of work defensively on crosses, we got caught out there.

"It's difficult to take tonight."