Coppell's side had conceded seven goals in the defeat to Portsmouth last time out - but Derby, bottom of the Barclays Premier League and still without an away goal this season, did not have the same ammunition.

"Obviously it's a relief," said Coppell.

"But it's only in the system because people talk about conceding seven goals like someone has died.

"It's football, and I bet there won't be many teams who go there and score four and also miss a penalty.

"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 today 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."

Stephen Hunt was off target twice with Reading's best first-half chances, and Doyle also headed over.

The hosts also had two penalty appeals turned down before the break - but just when it looked as if it would be a frustrating afternoon, Doyle headed in his first Reading goal of the season.

Graeme Murty's cross from the right was flicked to the back post by Derby striker Steve Howard, and Doyle planted his header into the opposite corner.

"He's been grafting away and working hard," said Coppell.

"He scored a wonder goal for Ireland, and his overall contribution was very good.

"I just got a feeling that he will score goals - you can sense it in games. You just have to be patient sometimes with strikers."

Reading held on for victory, despite Rob Earnshaw coming off the bench and giving them a scare.

Coppell said it was the players who should take the credit for getting back to winning ways.

He added: "It's down to them. 'I'm not Churchill', as Sven (Goran Eriksson) would say. Maybe once a year you may do something in the dressing room to inspire somebody.

"They have to work it out. Players are human beings and are going to have high periods and low periods."

Derby boss Billy Davies remains pleased to still be in sight of the other strugglers.

"In the first half we conceded too many free-kicks and were down on energy. But we were much better in the second half, and one lapse of concentration has cost us dear," he said.

"I felt we got a better performance and deserved more than we got. We could have grabbed a win - even at the end of the game we had some good chances.

"We are getting much better and looking confident. The league table doesn't lie, but we could climb with a win."