Reading FC manager Paul Ince was left satisfied after the Royals snatched a dramatic last gasp win at Hull City.
The Royals fell behind early but levelled up through Yakou Meite to go into the break at 1-1.
With the game headed for a draw, Reading stole the points late in the day after Andy Carroll’s header was turned in for an own goal by Ryan Longman.
“We would have taken a point, the game was petering out. They were putting pressure on us without causing any major issues.
“We just needed one bit of quality. I saw AC (Andy Carroll) galloping and then didn’t see it after that and just saw all the lads running and presumed it was a goal.
“It was great timing, the best time to score. We looked tired and out on our feet. We can go into the break on a positive note.
“And the fans can go back down the motorway on a positive note.
“Shane (Long) and Yak (Meite) worked well today. We needed pace and legs and it worked well. It’s nice when you can bring on Lucas Joao and AC.
“It’s nice when your subs can come on and make an impact. It’s hard for subs to get up to speed, but they made an impact. I’ve now got decisions to make about my strikers.”
With four weeks until their next game with the World Cup break. Ince believes it has come at the perfect time for his squad.
He continued: “The players have earned the rest. Everyone in the Championship has earned their rest. You’ve seen what we’ve gone through in the last couple of months. Some will go away with their families for a week.
“It’s unprecedented having a World Cup in November but with our squad and how depleted it is, it couldn’t come at a better time.
“This is why we’ve always been clambering to have a winter break. I had it at Inter Milan and I felt so refreshed when I went back, it was unbelievable.
“It’s such a grind. I feel for these players. Now some of them have to go and play in the World Cup.”
Ince reflected on the first-half of Reading’s season which sees them in 12th place on 29 points, just two points off the top six, but only six points above the relegation zone in a tightly contested table.
“I’m over the moon. At the start of the season we were favourites to go down. Nobody gave us a chance and with the EFL situation we had to go for loans and free transfers.
“To be standing here with 29 points after 21 games is a massive achievement for these players.
“We’re not surprised but the expectations got a little bit too high. We will be a stronger side and that can only bode well for the second half of the season.”
