Reading manager Steve Coppell clearly made the right decision in keeping Shaun Goater in England this weekend as the Bermudian frontman bagged the winner in a 2-1 victory over fellow play-off chasers Sheffield United.

And with Kenny Thompson?s men clearly coping without their compatriot, everyone benefited from the decision as the Royals kept in the promotion hunt courtesy of a 33rd minute penalty from Goater ? his fifth goal in as many games.

Coppell only blocked the striker?s return for World Cup duty because he would have missed two Division One encounters ? Reading travel to Preston tomorrow ? and only after talk of moving the Montserrat game to Saturday fell through.

?If it had stayed a Saturday match I would have let Shaun go because he would only have missed one match,? said Coppell, whose side remain just one point outside the play-off spots.

?It was not an official international week ? sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind. I was certainly glad to see him out there although I did feel bad about the decision.

?It was an exciting game but not one for the purist. It?s one that can be analysed to death.?

A long throw from defender Robert Kuzluk caused confusion in Reading?s defence and allowed Andy Gray, on his debut after a move from cash-strapped Bradford, to open the scoring for United.

But full back Nicky Shorey sent a David-Beckham-style free kick swinging into the corner of the net in the 24th minute to level things up.

Then James Harper was brought down in the penalty area to give Goater the chance to score the winning goal ? his 12th of the season ? and justify his manager?s decision to keep him in the UK.