READING were dealt a sickening blow deep into stoppage time as Matt Crooks snatched three points for Middlesbrough after he scored two late goals.
The Royals have now gone six games in all competitions without a win after Crooks scored a leveller to cancel out Andy Carroll’s 68th-minute opener and he then snatched a winner deep into stoppage time.
Carroll’s short-term deal with the club is due to expire this weekend with the striker attracting the attention of several clubs in England after his impressive performances, but he was denied leaving the Royals fans with a parting gift.
The defeat leaves Veljko Pauovic under immense pressure with his team still just a place outside of the Championship relegation places.
Reading came into the match on the back of an abhorrent seven days for the club after an exit in the FA Cup to non-league Kidderminster Harriers was followed up with a 7-0 home loss to Fulham in the league.
There was a boost on the bench with the return of last season’s top scorer Lucas Joao, who returned to the matchday squad for the first time in more than 150 days.
Andy Rinomhota was handed his first start since September after his recent comeback from injury, while Andy Carroll lined up as the central striker.
The Royals started the day just one place outside of the Championship relegation zone.
The first attack and subsequent corner of the match came Reading’s way after some smart work from John Swift. But Boro keeper Joe Lumley made his presence felt and came out to claim a simple catch from Swift’s delivery.
The first yellow card of the game was distributed after 12 minutes when young full back Ethan Bristow was penalised for fouling Isaiah Jones.
The hosts almost had joy getting in behind Reading with a simple ball over the top but goalkeeper Luke Southwood was quick to rush off his line and head away the danger from the onrushing Aaron Connolly.
Reading’s first move of promise came in the 23rd minute when Swift and Junior Hoilett traded passes but the Canadian international snatched a shot well wide of the target.
Middlesbrough came into life and went close on a few occasions as they pressed for an opener.
Captain Jonny Howson’s shot took a wicked deflection off Josh Laurent to wrongfoot Southwood, but to Reading’s fortune, the ball spun just wide of the post.
The hosts then came even closer a few minutes later when Southwood initially made a fine stop to deny Andraz Sporar before the rebound bounced off Laurent and struck the post.
There was some end-to-end action to end the half. Southwood bailed out Tom Dele-Bashiru with a save after the midfielder lost possession deep inside his own half.
Hoilett broke down the other end and had a shot saved before Boro countered but couldn’t take advantage through Connolly who curled his shot wide.
Connolly had another opportunity presented at his feet but couldn’t direct a shot on target and he also had the final chance of the half after Tom Holmes lost the ball cheaply, but Southwood came up with another block to end the half goalless.
A bright start to the second-half from the Royals saw Dele-Bashiru bear down on goal and win a corner after his shot took a ricochet off a Boro defender.
Veljko Paunovic made his first switch in the 55th minute as Mamadi Camara replaced Hoilett who went down with an injury.
With 68 minutes on the clock, Carroll gave the Reading fans what could be a parting gift by heading them in front.
Dele-Bahsiru whipped a cross into the box and the rangy striker rose highest in the air and looped the ball past Lumley.
Reading held off Boro who continued to grow in frustration in their quest to find an equaliser.
Southwood had to come up with another important stop to claw the ball away from his goal, but just moments later he couldn’t keep out Matt Crooks who pulled Boro level.
Joao entered the action with his first appearance of the campaign for the final five minutes of the match.
Laurent had a chance on the counter to snatch a win but couldn’t muster enough power in his shot.
But deep into injury time, there was more anguish for the Royals after Crooks prodded the ball in at the back post with his second of the afternoon.
Reading have two successive home games on the horizon. They host Luton Town on Wednesday evening (8pm) and Huddersfield Town on Saturday (3pm).
Middlesbrough: Lumley, Dijksteel, Taylor, Fry, Tavernier, Sporar, Howson (c), McNair, Crooks, Connolly, Jones
Subs: Daniels, Payero, Peltier, Watmore, Bamba, Coburn, Balogun
Reading: Southwood, Bristow, Holmes, Laurent (c), Tetek, Rinomhota, Drinkwater, Dele-Bashiru, Swift, Hoilett, Carroll
Subs: Collins, Joao, Camara, Clarke, Puscas, Holzman
Goals: Carroll 68’, Crooks 84’, 90+5’
