The manager of Reading, Steve Coppell, believes Nicky Forster's FA Cup winner at Swansea on Monday night can spark a goalscoring burst for the striker.

The manager of Reading, Steve Coppell, believes Nicky Forster's FA Cup winner at Swansea on Monday night can spark a goalscoring burst for the striker.

Forster has not found the net in four months during a season blighted by stomach and groin operations and Coppell knows his ability to hit the target could be crucial in his side's efforts to reach the Premiership.

Forster tapped home from close range five minutes into extra time to steer Reading into a fourth round confrontation with either Leicester or Blackpool and ensure they head into Saturday's key Championship game with the league leaders, Ipswich, in buoyant mood.

"I hope that goal will settle Nicky down a bit because he has been fretting about his lack of goals," said Coppell. "It is five games since he has been back and he has had a few opportunities. He contributes more than just goals but that is what strikers live for."

Coppell admitted that his team had been fortunate to survive an early Swansea onslaught but in the end was disappointed that the League Two side held out long enough to take the tie into an extra half-hour.

"We were better technically in the second half but I am worried having to play 120 minutes tonight might prove costly for us against Ipswich," said Coppell. "But we are pleased to get through. I watched the rain coming down and I saw the wind and I knew the cameras were here, and it wasn't because they hoped we'd win, and I wondered what was going to happen. Thankfully, we came through in the end and we can take a lot of heart from that."

Swansea, unlucky not to win the tie at the first attempt last week, were by far the more dangerous side in the opening hour with little midfielder Adrian Forbes particularly impressive.

Paul Connor saw his header cleared off the line and Andy Robinson might have won it in the final minute with a thunderous volley that the Reading keeper Marcus Hahnemann needed to be at full stretch to turn round the post. The Swansea manager, Kenny Jackett, was disappointed at his side's elimination, although he knows it will probably help their promotion campaign.

"I have to be pleased with the way we have played overall and we can take a lot of heart from two excellent performances against a side that hopes to be playing in the Premiership next season," said Jackett. "We must focus all our energies on Saturday's game against Boston."