MIDDLESBROUGH manager Garry Monk was delighted with his side's first victory in seven matches.

Boro beat Reading 2-0 with goals from Grant Leadbitter and Britt Assombalonga.

"That was an important win for us," Monk said. "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.

"We were very good defensively. And were clinical offensively when we needed to be.

"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."

Reading manager Jaap Stam faced up to the prospect of the sack after his side's woes continued.

The Royals have lost four of their last five Championship outings while their fortunes have plummeted at the Madejski Stadium.

Reading are hovering two points and places above the drop zone and Stam admitted the board should act if they feel someone is capable of doing a better job.

About his job security, Stam said: "If people might think to make other choices, that's how it is. 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."