“We are learning from what we are doing all the time but we have got to show drive, guts and determination,” he said. “I thought we showed more of that in this game than we have been but we still need to show even more.

“As a team we were strong, lively and sharp but I know we can do a lot better. We have knocked out two decent footballing sides in this tournament so we are close to something good.” Hollins said the win was particularly pleasing as Reading fielded their strongest side, virtually the same line-up which hammered the Swans 5-1 at the Madejski Stadium back in September.

“We had something to prove. We have been working on making it difficult for teams to play and I thought we got what we deserved,” he said. Hollins praised his strike partnership of Giovanni Savarese and especially local boy Stuart Roberts.

“He can cause problems for opposition teams because he is quick and he is lively,” he added