Reading boss Steve Coppell admitted relief after securing a 1-0 win over relegation rivals Derby.
"Obviously it's a relief," said Coppell after seeing Kevin Doyle grab the winner.
"But it's only in the system because people talk about conceding seven goals like someone has died.
"It's not the end of the world to get beaten - we could lose 20 games and have a good season."
Coppell believes the Portsmouth defeat contributed to a first half here which was short on quality, with clearances from his defenders going off at all angles.
Derby's lack of confidence meant they were also struggling to string passes together.
"At Crystal Palace, I had a defence that conceded nine at Anfield once - the way they played the next game was not very pretty," said Coppell.
"We drew with Southampton. It was 1-1 - but it was a lucky goal.
"If you're a defender you want the ball as far away from your goal as possible, and there was an element of that in the first half."
