Britt Assombalonga's second-half goal was his seventh in 14 Championship games this season
Middlesbrough earned their first win in six Championship games in a hard-fought game at struggling Reading.
Grant Leadbitter put Garry Monk's side ahead from the penalty spot after Britt Assombalonga was brought down.
The hosts struggled to create chances despite seeing more of the ball, and they were punished when Assombalonga headed in Jonny Howson's cross.
Sone Aluko came closest to pulling a goal back late on, but his volley was turned behind by Darren Randolph.
The result left last season's play-off finalists Reading only two points above the relegation zone, with four defeats in their past five games.
The Royals also lost Tiago Ilori to injury in the first half, the defender taken to hospital following a collision with team-mate Liam Moore, who was able to continue after having a bandage wrapped around his head.
Middlesbrough moved up to 11th in the table, only two points outside the play-off places.
Reading manager Jaap Stam:
On his future as Reading boss: "I like the club very much but if somebody else can make better results and do it better, then (the board) need to make that decision.
"We all work very hard - the team, the staff, the players - but if there's someone out there to do it a lot better, then that decision needs to be made."
On the defeat: "We started very well, in going forward and keeping the pace high. Then we conceded a stupid goal from a penalty.
"You need to come back from that, which is always difficult because you're then facing a team that is dropping deep.
"Boro were very defensive. But when you make two mistakes, concede two goals and don't score ourselves, you lose games."
Middlesbrough manager Garry Monk:
"That was an important win for us. We haven't been in a good period recently and there's been a lot of talk about that.
"To put ourselves back on track, we've got to strike that right balance between defensive and offensive play.
"That's the way to try to build again and we know that, as we get more confident, we have the players to offensively do very well. It was a really good, solid away performance."
- Published28 October 2017
