Reading 5 Middlesbrough 2: Steele injury adds to mounting problems for Boro chief Mowbray

Mowbray said: “Right from early on we were under pressure. In the first five minutes we conceded half-a-dozen corners and it never got much better.

“Reading have a lot of intensity in their play and their front two work really hard.

“I have been in charge for 19 or 20 games but it’s the first time we have found a performance like that. Even if we have had bad results we have always been in matches.

“This was the first time we have been outfought and outplayed.

“It’s not a day for excuses. We must put it behind us straight away. I would never have thought today that we could find that level of performance after the way we played at Nottingham Forest.”

Mowbray had a further concern over goalkeeper Jason Steele, who had to be replaced by Connor Ripley before half-time with what appeared to be an injury to his side.

“Jason Steele will need a scan, but he looks uncomfortable at the moment,” said Mowbray.

“It’s something we will have to address over the weekend. I think we will have to find a goalkeeper.”

After watching his side beat Middlesbrough 5-2 at the Madejski Stadium, Reading chief Brian McDermott praised his players for the way they played in their first game since the midweek FA Cup win at Everton.

Hal Robson-Kanu put the Royals in front in the 14th minute before Leroy Lita pulled Boro level with a 29th-minute strike.

Harte and Long both netted braces before Lita struck a 72nd-minute penalty.

Reading: McCarthy, Gunnarsson, Mills, Khizanishvili, Harte, Kebe (Antonio 82), Tabb, Leigertwood, Robson-Kanu, Hunt (Manset 86), Long (Church 69). Unused substitutes: Andersen, Karacan, Howard, Morrison.

Middlesbrough: Steele (Ripley 40), McMahon, Hines, Grounds, Bennett, Taylor, Robson (Rhys Williams 60), Bailey, Zemmama (Boyd 46), Lita, Emnes. Unused substitutes: Haas, Kink, Halliday, Smallwood.

Referee: N Swarbrick (Lancashire).

Man of the match: Ian Harte.