Reading 1 Middlesbrough 1

TUNCAY scored his first goal in Boro colours but a late Sunderland goal dropped Boro into the bottom three, writes GORDON COX from the Madejski Stadium.

Gareth Southgate made three changes from the side that lost to Villa as Mark Schwarzer (broken thumb) and Gary O'Neil (illness) missed the game and Lee Cattermole, carrying a slight ankle injury, dropped to the bench.

In came Ross Turnbull for his first game of the season, Fabio Rochemback returned to the starting line-up, while Dong Gook Lee began a game for the first time since the end of September.

England U17 goalkeeper Jason Steele was on the bench, as was Robert Huth, for the first time this season, but there was no place for Julio Arca.

Reading were unchanged from the side that lost at Manchester City seven days ago.

Stewart Downing started on the right and Adam Johnson on the left as Boro flew at Reading, as if wanting to get last week's game against Villa out of the system.

Good work from each of the wide men had Reading on the back foot early on, while support play from George Boateng was always on hand.

An underhit backpass from Nicky Shorey gave a Downing a half chance to intercept, but it was all he could do to hit Marcus Hahnemann with a low cross.

David Wheater was twice called into action as Reading found their feet, but he dealt with two right-wing crosses with ease.

As Boro broke quickly, Jeremie Aliadiere was picked out inside the home side's penalty area and a low shot on the turn brought the first real save of the game from Hahnemann.

A few minutes later Aliadiere again brought a save from the Reading goalkeeper. In between came the first save from Turnbull as he fell away to his right to grab a low drive from Bobby Convey, delivered from the right-hand edge of the penalty area.

Before that, Turnbull been comfortable in his handling when gathering crosses.

What had been a dry day gave way to rain approaching the midpoint of the first half, with darkening clouds threatening to deposit a more substantial load at any time.

Conditions were not ideal for defenders or goalkeepers and as the rain got heavier the home side broke down the left. David Kitson cut in from the right-hand edge of the Boro box and unleashed a shot, but Turnbull was well positioned and produced a smart save.

Boro broke quickly from their own half. Aliadiere had options either side as he sped through just to the right of centre. He chose Johnson, who had swapped with Downing, to his right, and a darting run was followed by a low shot which brought a decent stop from Hahnemann.

Back came Reading in an open game as Kitson, a few yards in from the left-hand touchline and 25 yards from goal, shot across Turnbull who produced an excellent stop away to his left.

Twice Lee was set up inside the penalty area, first from an Aliadiere knock down to which he was slow to react, then Emanuel Pogatetz played in a fine cross but Lee seemed reluctant to challenge Ibrahima Sonko in the air when he had a clear advantage.

Boro were the better side at this stage and again they moved sweetly and swiftly into Reading territory. An Aliadiere shot from distance brought a scrambling save from Hahnemann, Johnson pounced but was thwarted by first the post then a grateful American goalkeeper grabbed the rebound.

Half-time: Reading 0 Middlesbrough 0

Luke Young had to produce a fine challenge on the edge of the Boro box to thwart the first move of the second half as Boro started brightly. Another powerful run from Aliadiere took him into the Reading penalty area but he couldn't pick out a support player.

Just as last week the opposition took the lead, this time after 53 minutes, and like one of the goals against Villa, this was route one stuff. Hahnemann launched a long-kick, Kevin Doyle flicked on and David Kitson lobbed Turnbull, who had advanced off his line.

Boro needed to defend as Reading were buoyed by the goal, but defend they did and well.

Skirmishes in each half served notice that there was an edge to the game, with importance of a win not underestimated by either side.

Jonathan Woodgate was annoyed with a challenge from Nicky Hunt and squared up to him, a move which then saw 10 players involved in business which was no concern of theirs.

As the game swung back into Reading territory a right-wing cross caused indecision in the Reading defence before drifting out. Hahnemann then squared up to Sonko who reacted, then turned his attention on another team-mate.

Southgate made a double change with 20 minutes remaining as Woodgate and Lee made way for Robert Huth and Tuncay.

Boro's spirits held and they went looking for an equaliser, but Aliadiere elected to shoot from a narrowing angle rather than try and pick out Tuncay unmarked in front of goal.

Had Tuncay fallen under a challenge from Shorey inside the Reading penalty area Boro may well have been awarded a spot kick. However, he rode the challenge, only to be dispossessed by Sonko.

But he didn't have to wait long to have something to celebrate.

With 83 minutes remaining, determination from Downing in centre midfield won possession for Boro and the ball was played out to the right. Young set off on the overlap and sent over a perfect cross for Tuncay to head home his first goal in Boro colours.

Both sides created chances in the closing stages as Kitson headed just wide and Tuncay failed to get a touch to an excellent right wing cross with Hahnemann grabbing the ball at the last minute.

The final attack took Boateng from his own penalty area to within touching distance of Reading's, but Aliadiere took over and cleared the bar by some distance with a drive from the edge of the box.

Reading: Hahnemann; Murty (Capt), Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Hunt, Gunnarsson (Long 85), Harper, Convey (Bikey 77), Doyle, Kitson. Unused subs: Federici (gk); Cisse, Rosenior.

Middlesbrough: Turnbull; Young, Woodgate (Huth 70), Wheater, Pogatetz, Downing, Boateng (Capt), Rochemback, Johnson (Cattermole 89), Aliadiere, Lee (Tuncay 70). Unused subs: Steele (gk); Hutchinson.

Referee Alan Wiley, Burntwood, Staffordshire.

Bookings

Reading: Murty, 44, foul.

Middlesbrough: Johnson, 49, foul.

Attendance 22,262

Conditions Cool and overcast, heavy rain showers at times.

Website Boro Man of the Match George Boateng