Reading 2 Middlesbrough 0: Boro run is ended after Royals’ stunning start

He said: “The main thing we had to do was not concede a goal in the first minute but we did –within 20 seconds.

“Reading are a very organised team and we knew that if we conceded a goal, it would be difficult to equalise. We have still had a good run but we are disappointed because we wanted to win the eighth, ninth and 10th games in a row.

“I know it is impossible to win every match but it’s still frustrating. I don’t know why we started so badly.”

Reading manager Steve Clarke warned his players not to get carried away.

A header from Danny Williams after just 15 seconds and an 88th-minute penalty from Nick Blackman moved Reading back into third place.

After five wins in six league matches, they are one position and two points behind the Teessiders in the table.

“That doesn’t really say anything at this stage of the season,” said Clarke. “Eighteen points from 10 games is a good return, it’s quite healthy. But there’s no way you can get too carried away in this division.”

That quickfire start came when Hal Robson-Kanu dazzled on the left before crossing deep for Williams to power a header past Dimi Konstantopoulos.

It was the third fastest goal in Royals’ history – Jimmy Kebe scored after nine seconds against West Brom in 2010 and Mark White netted after 12 seconds against York in 1984.

Reading: Al Habsi, Gunter, Hector, McShane, Obita, Williams, Norwood, Piazon (John 63), Blackman, Orlando Sa, Robson-Kanu (Tshibola 82). Unused substitutes: Taylor, McCleary, Hurtado, Cooper, Moore.

Middlesbrough: Konstantopoulos, Kalas (Nsue 70), Ayala, Amorebieta, Friend, Clayton, Leadbitter (Adomah 83), Stuani, Fabbrini (De Pena 70), Downing, Garcia. Unused substitutes: Gibson, Mejias, Forshaw, Nugent.

Referee: K Stroud (Hampshire).

Man of the match: Danny Williams.