READING boss Veljko Paunovic believes Cherries have "the right mix" to be successful, but hinted they may struggle against Preston on Wednesday evening.

Goals from Dominic Solanke and Jamal Lowe guided Scott Parker's men to a 2-0 victory in Berkshire on Saturday night.

It extends Cherries' unbeaten start to the Championship season to 15 matches, a new club record, and preserves their five-point lead over nearest challengers Fulham.

But Royals boss Paunovic feels his side provided a good match for Parker's in-form charges, explaining how Cherries were forced to work hard for victory.

Asked for his thoughts on Cherries, Paunovic said: "I think a good squad, no doubt that they have quality. They have the right mix of quality, experience and good coaching staff.

"And the confidence, obviously. With the performances they've had, the confidence is huge.

"I think the game was very even, even when you look at the stats.

"Every time we face sides top of the table, after us, because of the output they have had to do to match us, usually they will slip.

"I'm not saying anything, but I wish we were the team that stopped their fantastic form, but it didn't happen."

Discussing the 2-0 defeat further, Paunovic added: "We looked good, in control, and we got opportunities that we didn't convert. But we kept doing what we've been doing efficiently in the first half, until the famous corner kick that we conceded.

"That goal hurt us, but we responded properly. We went after them.

"We showed our spirit to fight against teams like Bournemouth - top of the table, unbeaten, a very good squad. When you play the first half as we played, putting aside the goal we conceded, against a team like this, you just feel confident.

"In the second half we readjusted what we needed to readjust. They made a substitution, but it didn't change much the way they played.

"Then the first opportunity was ours, (George) Puscas had a great opportunity. Unfortunately we missed that one and then out of nothing, we conceded a goal.

"From a set piece late in the game Scott Dann had a header and we were getting close, but I think with fatigue kicking in later in the game, we just lost the freshness and the precision."