Boro slip into drop zone

GARETH SOUTHGATE is confident he still has the backing of his Middlesbrough squad, despite dropping into the relegation zone.

Boro have begun their fourth month without a win following this scrappy draw at Reading, a result which saw them tumble below north-east rivals Sunderland and into the bottom three for the first time in more than three years.

Southgate’s team last tasted success 11 matches ago on September 1 — and they have rarely looked like registering a victory since.

At any other club, it would be no surprise were the manager to have been already shown the door — but Steve Gibson is one of the least trigger-happy chairmen around.

How long his beloved Boro can continue on their current run before his patience wears thin remains to be seen.

Having had marginally the better of an uninspiring first half, they fell behind early in the second when Dave Kitson finished off the archetypal route-one play with a cool lobbed finish.

Rather than fold, the visitors battled back — thanks in no small part to some shrewd substitutions.

One of those replacements paid off in spectacular fashion when Tuncay headed in Luke Young’s cross for his first goal in English football.

Reading manager Steve Coppell added: “That game had been built up as a game we should win. Every point is precious in this division. We’ve got to keep our noses in front.”

READING (4-4-2): Hahnemann 6, Murty 6, Sonko 6, Ingimarsson 6, Shorey 5, Hunt 6, Harper 6, Gunnarsson 6 (Long 86, 5), Convey 6 (Bikey 77, 5), Doyle 6, Kitson 8.

Subs Not Used: Federici, Cisse, Rosenior.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Turnbull 6, Young 7, Woodgate 6 (Huth 69, 6), Wheater 6, Pogatetz 6, Johnson 6 (Cattermole 89, 5), Boateng 8, Rochemback 4, Downing 4, Aliadiere 5, Lee 4 (Sanli 70, 5).

Subs Not Used: Steele, Hutchinson.

REFEREE: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire) 6: A niggly game demanded a strong hand, which Wiley provided. Three bookings was about right.

MATCH RATING: ** Both sides were poor in the first half, although things brightened after the break.