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Cox has scored twice in seven games since returning to Reading in August

Simon Cox's first-half goal gave Reading all three points at Middlesbrough.

Cox put the Royals in front after just seven minutes when he latched on to a Ryan Edwards pass and lobbed home keeper Tomas Mejias.

Adam Clayton and Kike both spurned good chances to equalise before the break.

Boro continued to press for a leveller and Reading defender Chris Gunter diverted Adam Reach's cross against a post as the visitors held out.

The defeat means that Aitor Karanka's men have now lost successive league games at the Riverside after Sheffield Wednesday left with all three points last week.

They started the match brightly with Clayton volleying over from a Grant Leadbitter corner before Kike and Albert Adomah drew saves from Adam Federici.

The hosts were then caught cold when Cox applied a wonderful finish to Edwards' pass.

Lee Tomlin fired narrowly over after the break before Gunter almost inadvertently levelled for the hosts.

Karanka brought on Chelsea forward Patrick Bamford, who has joined the club on loan until January, but he could not inspire his new side to an equaliser as Reading held out.

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka:

"We were a team without spirit and character, especially in the first half, and we have to improve our consistency.

"The best thing is to have two weeks to work again with all of the squad together [during the international break]. We need to improve and recover our style.

"We are speaking with [Genk striker Jelle] Vossen and other players. I expect to be working [on transfers] until the last second on Monday."

Reading manager Nigel Adkins:

"We had 16 players unavailable going into the game so it's a great result. It was a super goal from Simon Cox.

"That gave us something to hold on to and [Adam] Federici has not really had many saves to make.

"The young side we have got have come away from home against an excellent side and got a great result. We had seven academy players on the field to finish off."