MX23RW : Tuesday, March 11 04:38:26| >> :120:57942:57942:
[monks data]
Attendance: 22,003
Middlesbrough logo
Championship | Gameweek 45
Apr 27, 2019 at 3pm UK
 
Reading logo

2-1

Wing (31'), Assombalonga (39' pen.)
FT(HT: 2-1)
Loader (11')

Middlesbrough keep playoff hopes alive with win over Reading

Wing's predatory strike just after the half-hour mark cancelled out the Royals' opener.

Lewis Wing returned to Middlesbrough's starting line-up to help them earn a much-needed 2-1 Championship victory over Reading at the Riverside Stadium.

Wing's predatory strike just after the half-hour mark cancelled out the Royals' beautiful opener scored by teenager Danny Loader in the 11th minute.

And Middlesbrough took command by hitting what proved to be the winner six minutes before half-time when Britt Assombalonga converted a penalty to grab his 15th goal of the season.

It was a victory over Reading, who were effectively safe before kick-off, that kept the home side level on points with Derby in sixth going into a final-day trip to Rotherham next Sunday.

Middlesbrough knew that defeat would have made a play-off place even more unlikely, although missing out would not be guaranteed whatever the result had been against Reading.

In a bid to bounce back from Easter Monday's defeat at Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis sprung a surprise by recalling midfielder Wing to the starting line-up after hernia surgery.

It was a move that had the desired effect too, even if Boro and the club's fans were dealt an early blow when teenager Loader scored a first senior goal to remember.

After collecting Chris Gunter's throw, the 18-year-old turned John Obi Mikel before finding space and curling brilliantly into the top-left corner of Darren Randolph's net.

That led to a period of nerves in the Middlesbrough defence and the fans had just started to get anxious when things turned around, which was sparked by the performances of Wing and Jonny Howson.

Wing had already hit the post with an earlier effort and seen goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez tip over the crossbar before his persistence did find the net.

The former non-league midfielder was on hand in the 31st minute when Howson's deep right-wing cross bounced off defender Andy Yiadom.

Worse was to come for the Reading full-back because – eight minutes later – he was guilty of tripping George Saville in the area after he had brought down another Howson cross.

Assombalonga, who had the ball in the net but had it ruled out for that trip, then displayed his calmness to stay confident enough to send Martinez the wrong way from the penalty spot to give Middlesbrough the half-time lead.

Rather than build on that the home side – like many other occasions this season – went into their shell and Reading enjoyed more possession after the restart.

Randolph was not seriously tested, but there were scares like when Aden Flint had to block Garath McCleary's goal-bound effort midway through the second half.

There was another too in the dying seconds when substitute Callum Harriott's backheel needed a strong save from Randolph's legs after Yiadom's strong run and centre.

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '3eb6c0ef-fdb4-472e-a0c4-8fe03e02540e');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:match-reports');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Lewis Wing returns as Middlesbrough edge Reading to stay in touch with play-offs'});

ID:357494: cacheID:357494:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5640:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Nottingham Forest manager Martin O'Neill pictured on February 12, 2019
Read Next:
O'Neill hails "best performance of the season"
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds362210472234976
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd36246651272476
3Burnley362014249103974
4Sunderland361911654332168
5Coventry CityCoventry36168125246656
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom361316746321455
7Bristol City36131494639753
8Blackburn RoversBlackburn36157144137452
9Middlesbrough36148145547850
10Norwich CityNorwich361213115749849
11Watford36147154650-449
12Millwall361212123637-148
13Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds36139145056-648
14Queens Park RangersQPR361111144146-544
15Swansea CitySwansea36128163846-844
16Preston North EndPreston36916113642-643
17Portsmouth36119164457-1342
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd36912153753-1639
19Hull City36910173645-937
20Stoke CityStoke36812163650-1436
21Cardiff CityCardiff36812163959-2036
22Derby CountyDerby3688203549-1432
23Luton TownLuton3687213259-2731
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth36612183673-3730


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!