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RECORD signing Afonso Alves made his first Premier League start for Middlesbrough but he failed to inspire his underpar side to victory in a largely forgettable and uneventful spectacle, which was settled in injury time by Reading's James Harper.

The £12m capture from Heerenveen built on Wednesday's cameo in the FA Cup, where he revealed several good touches, but it's clear manager Gareth Southgate's assessment is correct in that the club won't see the best of him until next season. The closest the Brazilian came to a goal was from a free-kick two minutes before the break when he shot straight into Marcus Hahnemann's arms. But once the striker becomes acclimatised to the Premier League surroundings he looks capable enough.

Boro largely dominated the possession but despite making several good opportunities the home side failed to take advantage of them.

Stewart Downing had a couple of good chances in the first half and Gary O'Neil and David Wheater probably had the best of the openings after the break, although they were hardly great opportunities.

But Middlesbrough were made to pay by a lapse in concentration when Harper put his foot through the ball from the penalty spot following good work by Stephen Hunt down the left in injury time.

5:47pm Saturday 1st March 2008

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