Reading halted their dramatic slide to relegation by chalking up their first win in nine matches when they played Middlesbrough in their Premiership clash on Saturday.

Reading had lost eight matches on the trot and were on the back foot for most of the match against Boro. However the Reading defense managed to hold out for a clean sheet and were rewarded for their efforts with all three points when James Harper scored the winner deep in injury time.

Reading started the match determined to halt a run of disappointing results but though they dominated the possession in the opening minutes of the game, they were unable to create any real threat to the Boro goal. The hosts slowed started to assume control of the game with Stewart Downing create a couple of decent chances.

Boro almost took the lead on the stroke of half time when Afonso Alves' dipping free kick was saved brilliantly by Marcus Hahnemann. Both the teams were content to sit back in the second half as they struggled to create any real chances.

Downing had a couple of decent efforts in the second half but was unable to hit the target. Boro's best chance of the half fell to Gary O'Neil, who latched on to a poor clearance from Downing's free kick but his effort flew inches high of the cross bar.

With time running out, Harper brought the away fans to their feet as he raced forward to meet Stephen Hunt's through ball before slotting it coolly past Middlesbrough keeper Schwarzer to give his side all three points from the game.