An early goal from Simon Cox has given Reading a 1-0 half-time lead away at Middlesbrough in today's Championship clash at the Riverside.

The Royals broke the deadlock in the seventh minute, when a move began by a crossfield ball from Oliver Norwood led to Ryan Edwards subsequently chipping the ball to Cox.

The Irish forward duly struck to send the away supporters into raptures.

Five minutes later, a corner from Jordan Obita was nodded back by Alex Pearce before being hacked away from the goal line.

The home side tried to find a way back into the game, Adam Reach and Tomlin marauding forward midway through the first half, but both were denied by stout Reading defending.

The away side kept up the pressure, however, and Tomas Mejias had to be alert to punch away a corner kick on the half-hour mark.

The momentum appeared to change towards the latter stages of the first half, with Tomlin troubling Adam Federici in the 33rd minute and Kike also getting several chances on goal.

Controversy then reigned when Tomlin went down inside the Royals box with seven minutes to go, but the referee waved away the appeals.