Reading 2 WBA 2:IN A season afflicted by dressing-room disturbances, the West Bromwich Albion manager, Roberto Di Matteo, has cited simple principles such as honesty and respect as the tenets of good management.

Having overseen the return of Roman Bednar from a ban for buying drugs and settled a dispute with the unsettled midfielder Robert Koren, the Italian must now await the fate of the defender Joe Mattock, who will begin a Crown Court trial this week. The 19-year-old faces four charges of assault and one of attempting to pervert the course of justice following an alleged nightclub fracas in Leicester last August.

“You need to communicate with all the players and try to be honest and respectful and fair, not just with Joe but with everybody,” Di Matteo said.

Mattock looked unperturbed on Saturday, the crisp, 87th-minute strike with which he salvaged a fifth-round replay capping a resolute performance from the teenager.

“You can’t really tell that he’s got anything going on off the pitch,” Di Matteo said. “We’ve been waiting a long time for him to score, but when he did it was a vital goal to keep us in the cup. It was his first for us, so we’re pleased for him.”

Albion made a portentous start, conceding a goal in unforgivable speed. Reading’s Malian midfielder Jimmy Kebe poached the ball from Gianni Zuiverloon and rolled a soft shot beyond Scott Carson with only nine seconds on the clock. The visitors continued to be overwhelmed the until Robert Koren snatched the first of Albion’s equalisers with a tap-in.

Having traded dismissals early in the second half – Reading’s Shane Long for a reckless challenge on Abdoulaye Meite and Youssuf Mulumbu for a second bookable offence – Simon Church gave Reading the advantage when he won a duel with Carson at the second attempt.

Mattock’s late leveller provided a fitting denouement to an absorbing tie and ensured that Albion, who so often marry cup runs with promotions could yet make the last eight again.