Reading scored two first half goals and added a third with ten minutes to play as the Hatters fell to a fourth consecutive defeat, a game Cranie said the team must quickly ‘put to bed’.

“We will have a look at the game in the next few days and then put that to bed because we can’t dwell on what has happened, we can only look forward on what is coming. It’s Leeds next, we’ve got to be ready mentally and physically.”

Although Town remain one place above the relegation zone, the last three defeats before yesterday’s were all by a one-goal margin, which prompted the defender to say: “I think in previous games we have always given ourselves a chance to get back into the game. After the two goals, obviously we had to switch it around a bit at half-time because we knew we needed to get the next goal, but we didn’t create too many chances at all today.”

Cranie captained the Hatters and despite the disappointing defeat, spoke of his pride to wear the armband on a rain-soaked afternoon at the Madejski Stadium.

“It is always nice to get the captain's armband because it shows what the manager thinks of you. Obviously, it was disappointing not to get a positive result the first time I’ve worn it (for Luton).”

With Leeds United up next at Kenilworth Road, shortly followed by games against Charlton Athletic and Brentford, the 33-year-old added it will be a ‘test of character’ to ensure results quickly improve.

Cranie said: “Obviously when you have a run of four defeats on the bounce it’s tough to come back from, but it’s going to be a test of character for the lads now. I mean there’s no point in us coming in with our heads down, we have to get on with it.

“We have 30 games left in this league and it’s not done by a long way. We need to get back in training and work hard for the next game.”