Post-Match Verdict: 'We're Really Disappointed' - Elder

Derby County defender Callum Elder says dressing room was 'really disappointed' after falling to their first defeat on the road since October at Reading on Tuesday night.

A second half goal from Paul Mukairu ensured Reading were able to take all three points in a 1-0 defeat which stopped the Rams from further cementing their place in Sky Bet League One's top six.

Speaking to RamsTV after the game, defender Elder gave his verdict on a frustrating night in Berkshire.

On the result...

We're really disappointed. We came with an opportunity to go top of the league and the fans came out in numbers to support us; they made a big effort driving down which we always appreciate. Unfortunately, we couldn't get the result we wanted. We certainly came to get three points tonight. The most disappointing thing is defensively we got done on a throw-in, which we pride ourselves on, as we work on making sure we don't let teams get out. Going forward, I felt we got in really good areas but lacked a bit of cutting-edge in the final third. We need to dust ourselves down, there are a lot of games to go but we need to bounce back with a good performance and three points on Saturday.

On how much it meant to Reading...

We knew coming into this game they were in a difficult spot with all their off-the-field issues. We were focused on our game plan and how we were going to try and hurt them. I thought at times we did execute that, but unfortunately we didn't get that goal to go 1-0 up and got done in the second half off a throw-in, which is probably the biggest disappointment of the night. We knew they were going to fight for everything and at times we needed to show more fight. These games over this period are tough, there will be a lot of 1-0 scorelines and we need to make sure we are coming out on the positive end of them.

On not building on Saturday's draw at Lincoln...

We've been in a good run of form results wise. That's two in 14 we've lost, so we need to stick together as a group. There's a lot of talent in that dressing room and we need to combine that with executing that in the right moments. The bare minimum is fighting for everything because we've put ourselves in a strong position, but we need to see it through now.

On returning to Pride Park on Saturday against Cheltenham...

That won't be an easy game either. They will come and try to stamp their authority on the game, but we're back at home in front of our own fans and we need to put on a good performance and make sure that three points come our way at the end of it.