After naming Shaun Goater as a substitute for the second time in two games, Reading boss Steve Coppell then declared strike partner Nicky Forster the club's answer to Thierry Henry.

Coppell, who has only been in the hot seat for six games after taking over from Alan Pardew, made the comparison with Arsenal's French star after Forster's late strike sent Reading through to the fourth round of the League Cup last night.

Forster struck late against Third Division Huddersfield to seal a hard-earned victory at the Madejski Stadium.

Goater, left on the bench for last Friday night's First Division win against Sheffield United, was widely expected to return to first team duty last night, but Coppell again opted to leave him out.

He did enter the fray, but with just 20 minutes left as Reading sought the breakthrough goal.

Bought in the summer for a fee in the region of ?500,000 from Manchester City, it was hoped Goater would get the goals to fire the Royals into the Premiership.

Although he has scored five times, the first four were in the opening few games of the season. He went through a drought until scoring a penalty in the 3-2 win over Preston the weekend before last.

Forster, meanwhile, has scored nine goals and Coppell said last night: "It's true we depend heavily on him for our goals, but then Arsenal rely heavily on (Thierry) Henry and Newcastle on (Alan) Shearer. Every side has a man whose responsibility is to score the goals."

With that said, until Goater's arrival in the 69th minute, it appeared as if the game might go to extra-time and Coppell acknowledged the Bermudian's input.

"He gave us something a bit different and some extra experience when they were getting tired," he said.

"He used his head and made a good contribution."

Goater believes his goal statistics would be better if he received better service.

"If I was unhappy about anything it would be the lack of opportunities as a striker.

"If you get them you naturally have a better game, but I think they will come," he told the yesterday. "I'm confident in myself that when the chances come I will score. It's not been my time in terms of free-flowing goals, but I'm determined to keep my head down (and) work hard."

Referring to the Sheffield United game, Goater said he did not like being out of the starting 11, but he had to accept the manager's decision.

"The gaffer said he was going to go with five in midfield against Sheffield United to make us more compact," he said.

"Of course I want to play every game, but I will be professional. I'm not going to sulk. The team won and I hope that continues."