Reading manager Nigel Adkins has vowed that his team will bounce back next season after the last-gasp disappointment of missing out on the Sky Bet Championship play-offs.

Although Reading lay in sixth place at the start of the day, Brighton overtook them by winning 2-1 at Nottingham Forest with a last minute winner, meaning the Royals' 2-2 draw at home to promoted Burnley was not enough to keep them in the play-off places.

However, ex-Saints boss Adkins feels his side will learn the lessons from their heartache.

“It's important you feel the pain and the hurt because that's what makes you work even harder," he said. "You need to have a negative experience to make you stronger.

“We can't change anything now, we've given it a good go, and the future is still very bright at this club. We'll take a couple of days to chill out and then reflect on it.

Needing to win against Burnley to definitely rubberstamp their place in the play-offs, Reading went ahead through a Kieran Trippier own goal.

But Burnley, with only five defeats this season, were quick to respond, scoring twice in the space of eight minutes to take a 2-1 half-time lead.

Scott Arfield grabbed the leveller in the 20th minute and, with the Reading rearguard still in disarray, Burnley forged ahead when Southampton-raised Danny Ings thundered in his 26th goal of the season from close range.

Garath McCleary levelled for the Royals, but it was not enough.