CASEY Stoney believes her side could have been better, despite overcoming Reading and extending their unbeaten run in the Women’s Super League.

The United boss, who was born in Basildon, claimed after Sunday’s 2-1 away success: “We weren’t at our best today.

“We allowed them to grow into the game in the second half when we should have had more control.”

“We knew Reading would battle hard, so we had to keep going out there.”

United opened the scoring after 30 minutes when Leah Galton led a counter-attack from the halfway line before smashing the ball past Reading goalkeeper Grace Moloney.

The hosts got themselves back into the game 10 minutes into the second half when Jess Fishlock’s strike deflected off Millie Turner and found its way into the back of the United net.

The visitors left it late to secure all three points, with Hayley Ladd on hand at a corner to head the winner seven minutes from the end.

United have yet to lose this season and sit three points clear at the top of the Super League table.