Shaun Goater was given just six minutes of football last night, as Reading went down to their first defeat of the season at West Ham last night.

The Bermudian striker, and last season?s top scorer with the Royals, was once again left warming the bench for Steve Coppell and was only handed his chance in the dying stages of the game at Upton Park.

Teddy Sheringham scored after 81 minutes to break the deadlock and three minutes later Goater was introduced in a tactical switch for Andy Hughes.

His introduction was to no avail and Goater, who wasn?t given a full 90 minutes throughout the pre-season, will be even more desperate to be given a chance against Sheffield United on Saturday.