Angry Albion manager Roberto Di Matteo felt “destroyed” after watching his team throw away their FA Cup dream against Reading.

The Baggies head coach accused his side of gifting the Royals a quarter-final clash with Villa by squandering a 2-1 lead in stoppage-time and extra-time.

Albion led as the game entered the third minute of added time but Brian Howard levelled for the visitors thanks to a Gianni Zuiverloon howler, with Gylfi Sigurdsson netting the winner in extra-time after an Abdoulaye Meite error.

A shattered Di Matteo said: “Personally I’m destroyed, because we were in the driving seat and it wasn’t even a dangerous situation. All we needed to do was clear the ball.

“We put a lot of effort in and we worked very hard to win the game and we came away with nothing. For their second and third goals we just didn’t defend and gave them gifts to win the game.

“Our defending wasn’t good and it cost us dearly. We were in the driving seat and played well. We did everything to win the game and then we just threw it away.”

Di Matteo’s woes increased with key striker Roman Bendar limping off in the first-half with a groin injury, with the Czech targetman is now a potential doubt for Saturday Championship meeting with Derby County at the Hawthorns.

The Baggies boss said: “Roman’s picked up a groin injury and we’ll have to assess how he is today. We’ve got some other knocks and bruises but Roman is the only injury at the moment.”

Di Matteo’s nightmare evening was brightened by the return of midfielder James Morrison from a 10-month injury lay-off.

Morrison played for 50 minutes, including extra-time, and emerged unscathed from his comeback.

Di Matteo said: “We’ve been waiting for him for a long time and it was good to see him back on the field and in the team. We know what kind of player he can be and what he can contribute to our game.

“He’s a big player for us and the team and we’re glad he’s back. Hopefully he can get his rhythm, tempo and match fitness as soon as possible.”

Albion were back in training today to begin their preparations for the meeting with the Rams.

But Di Matteo will need to work hard to boost morale.

He said: “It’s a difficult moment for us and we’ll have to pick ourselves up and get going again for Saturday. It’s going to be a very difficult game and a very important one as well. It’s been very demanding with extra-time as well.

“We’ll have to look at the players and how they are in the next couple of days. We’re going to be in over the next couple of days and we’ll make some decisions for Saturday so we have enough energy in the team.”