REMI ALLEN admitted defensive errors which led to Chelsea’s goals made the narrow defeat “even more frustrating” as Reading were beaten 3-2 in Staines.
Royals conceded twice from corners with England international Eni Aluko poaching from close range while also being unstuck on a counter-attack with Ana Borges scoring.
Lauren Bruton and Melissa Fletcher netted in the second half for the visitors but it was not enough to record a second win of the campaign.
But Allen says there are plenty of positives to take from the display.
“It was a tough game but an enjoyable one to play in,” the midfielder told The Wokingham Paper.
“I think we matched them and we created chances.
“We’re disappointed with the goals that we conceded, especially the two set plays, but it’s a step in the right direction.”
Reading came into the game free from the pressure of trying to avoid relegation for the first time after Doncaster Belles were confirmed as finishing bottom since the last time Kelly Chambers’ side played.
And they started brightly with Emma Follis testing goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl.
But Chelsea took the lead on 19 minutes when Millie Bright headed on a corner into the path of Aluko to steer home.
Borges then doubled the tally after the restart when the ball kindly fell back into her path after Mary Earps had saved the initial effort.
Former Royal Fran Kirby was introduced for Chelsea to take on her old side for the first time since leaving last year, but a training ground routine free-kick got Reading on the score-sheet when Bruton was tripped by Borges.
Bruton stepped up herself, calmly sending the keeper the wrong way to breathe life back into the Royals.
That hope lasted just three minutes as Aluko scored again and despite a smart late finish from Fletcher, Chelsea picked up the win which sealed their spot in next season’s Champions League.
“In a way the goals we conceded make it even more frustrating because we kept them at bay in open play,” said Allen.
“We conceded from set plays which we keep conceding from.
“We know it’s a weakness of ours and what we’ve got to improve on.
“We’ll definitely be looking to do that for next season.”
She added: “We’ve almost got nothing to lose now.
“It’s a chance to experiment and try new things.
“It was nice to play with that bit of freedom (of avoiding relegation) and to be able to
express ourselves.”
Reading round off their campaign with a home game against Doncaster on Sunday (6pm) at Adams Park.
And despite Belles still yet to register a point all season, Allen is not expecting an easy evening.
“I think Donny have improved as the season’s gone on,” she said.
“Especially in the second part of the season they’ve improved dramatically.
“The last game against them was tough and I expect it to be similar.
“For us we’re still competing to finish above Sunderland so there’s definitely everything to play for.
“We owe it to the fans to give a good performance and get the three points.”
Follow @WokinghamSport on Twitter for all the action from Adams Park on Sunday evening.
