Reading manager Leam Richardson admitted it needed a few “powerful” words at half-time to inspire his side to a 2-1 comeback win over strugglers Barnsley in League One.

The Royals played poorly in the opening half, going behind to a Vimal Yoganathan goal in the seventh minute.

But boosted by the vigorous interval pep talk, Reading bounced back with a brace from Kyreece Lisbie to stretch their unbeaten home league record to six matches.

“What was said at half-time will stay private,” Richardson said. “But a couple of the senior players said some good powerful words because they knew that wasn’t us in the first half.

“It was a really quick conversation with each other and we agreed on certain things before we left the dressing room.

“I saw exactly what we agreed on in the second half. We were excellent.

“We looked a threat on the counter-attack every time that we turned the ball over. In the end, we deserved to win the game.

“You always want to improve and evolve in everything. We possibly might have drawn that game last season.

“Now, we want to go that one step further. We want to have a bit more character in the group, whether that’s an individual leader or more collective leaders.

“We wanted to force the issue after the break because I certainly wasn’t happy before that.”

Lisbie, a summer signing from Colchester, now has five goals this season.

“His qualities when we’re in possession are there for all to see,” Richardson said. “And you can see that he’s improving off the ball as well.

“He’s coming on leaps and bounds and he’s got a really good personality. He’s a really humble kid.”

Reading moved up to fifth place in the League One table but Barnsley dropped to 23rd and are now winless in 10 matches in all competitions.

Tykes head coach Daniel Stendel said: “We played a very good half, went 1-0 in front and Reading had not really any situations on our goal.

“We said at half-time that we should keep it like that, keep playing our way and control our defence.

“But one moment (Lisbie’s first goal) changed the game and, again, it was really hard for us to take.

“Our team invested a lot in today and I cannot believe that it has happened every week. I told the players that they have to believe, that we believe.

“We have played against good teams in the league and, most times, we have shown that we can compete with them.

“But, in the end, some little moments fall on the opposition side and not our side.

“For that, we have to work again and again. No, excuses, really, we want to do it better and we tried to do it a lot.

“We must keep going every time and be positive.”