Last updated on .From the section Championship

Marvin Johnson's free-kick was one of just two shots on target for Boro

Marvin Johnson scored the only goal of the game as Middlesbrough held on to record an unconvincing win over battling Reading at the Riverside.

Johnson finally broke the deadlock with Boro's first shot on target when his free-kick from the right found its way past everyone and into the bottom corner.

Britt Assombalonga also had the ball in the net shortly after the break when turning in a well-worked free-kick, but his effort was flagged offside.

The result was tough on Reading, with Lucas Joao almost snatching a late equaliser when he met John Swift's corner, only to be denied by one of a string of saves from keeper Darren Randolph.

Boro were hoping to toast their 500th league match at the Riverside with a sixth straight Championship win over the Royals.

But it was the visitors who produced the lion's share of the shots on target, with Yakou Meite having the best chance of an uninspiring first half, when he pounced on an under-hit Marc Bola backpass, only to shoot straight at Randolph.

After Johnson broke the deadlock, he was denied a second by Rafael Cabral after great work from Ryan Shotton, but it was Randolph at the other end, who prevented Boro dropping two points for a third league game running, denying Lucas Boye following a fine solo run and shot.

He then tipped over a free-kick from Swift, who also shot wide after another run from Boye as Jose Gomes' side searched in vain for an equaliser.

The victory extended Middlesbrough's unbeaten run to four matches and lifted them to 13th, while Reading dropped to 17th.

Middlesbrough manager Jonathan Woodgate:

"I thought we deserved to win it. I thought towards the end of the game they piled the pressure on, but we stood strong.

"Like I said in the week, we needed to find that inner steel, that belief and I thought we did that.

"Does that result make a statement? I'd like to think so. We're four unbeaten now, and it's hard to go four unbeaten in this league, but we've done that."

Reading boss Jose Gomes:

"(George) Puscas, (Lucas) Joao and Pele didn't start. Pele and Puscas had travelled for their national team, but that was not the only reason why they did not play.

"The reason was that I did not like the way that they played in the last game.

"They must give everything they have inside them, and it is my obligation as their manager to demand that. If they do not give the maximum they can, in my opinion, then we have very good quality players that can replace them and play."