Royle has taken Ipswich to the brink of the play-offs

"The game was billed as being a must-win and that's probably fair because we desperately needed three points," said Royle.

Match Report: Ipswich 3-1 Reading

"We defended well after the first 10 minutes and kept the ball effectively in a high class game.

"Reading are a decent side and their position in the league is no fluke. But we ended up being worthy winners."

Town ended up comfortable winners at Portman Road thanks to goals from Matt Holland and Jim Magilton after Nicky Forster had equalised Thomas Gaardsoe's first-minute opener for the hosts, leaving them just two points off a play-off spot.

We can't afford to look at the other side and it doesn't matter what they do if we don't win our games Ipswich boss Joe Royle

Royle said: "People keep asking me about points targets and what we need to do to catch the likes of Nottingham Forest and Wolves.

"But the simple answer is just to keep winning. We've got to be totally singular in our quest for the play-off.

"We can't afford to look at the other side and it doesn't matter what they do if we don't win our games."

The match hinged on two second half incidents.

First, Reading's Adie Viveash - making his first start of the season - was red-carded for barging into Gaardsoe.

Then, after Fabian Wilnis went on a surging run past two defenders, the ball fell invitingly to Magilton to drill home the clincher for the home side.

The sending off changed the course of the game Reading boss Alan Pardew

Royals boss Alan Pardew said: "The sending off changed the course of the game because I felt we were the better side when it was 11 versus 11.

"I must admit the challenge didn't look too clever at the time, but anyone who knows Adie will know that he hasn't got a malicious bone in his body.

"I thought that the Ipswich player made a bit of a meal of the situation."