Dave Jones praised Cardiff's army of travelling fans, who roared 10-man City to victory after Stephen McPhail was sent off.
"We lost one man and gained 2,000," said the manager. "They really drove us on. Our following home and away is magnificent. The noise they made tonight was superb.
"Our fans have a laugh away from home these days, because when the gate is announced, it's lower than we get at our stadium.
"It had to be a committed performance tonight, especially when we went down to ten men. I thought that in the first half we should have put the ball in the back of the net on a couple of occasions, but we got the break in the second half and probably should have got a second when the ball got stuck under Burkey's foot.
"Burkey is an honest lad, and said he didn't have the best of games tonight, but he scored.
"The red card forced us to change tactics really because I've basically got to shut up shop and after that I thought the two centre-halves and the goalkeeper were magnificent. We had to show the dirty side of football - dig in, defend and get your breaks and a bit of luck. We got that and we earned that.
"Tonight it was important to come out and do the business after the last two results. With what's going on here with Reading not winning at home since January, we really didn't want to be the team to come here and lift the monkey off their back.
"We've had some right good battles with Reading over the last few seasons, it's a difficult place to come to, and to go home with three points is hard earned and well deserved.
"We will appeal the red card. It looks a little bit harsh. I can understand why he's made it though - Stevie's foot is up.
"The ref, Paul Taylor, has sent Stevie off before, and said he didn't want to send him off again, so we said: 'Don't do it then!'"
Reading keeper Adam Federici scored a last-ditch equaliser against Cardiff last season, and tried a repeat with an overhead kick this time round.
Dave said: "If the 'keeper had scored again I would have sacked all my players because we actually put up on the board before the game that if the 'keeper came up for a corner late in the game, then who was designated to pick him up."
The full press conference will be available on Player now.
