MATT Crooks late double handed Boro a fifth win in a row as Boro performaned late heroics to beat Reading 2-1 at the Riverside Stadium. 

It extends their unbeaten run to eight matches and the three points sees them climb into the Championship play-offs. 

Digital Sports Writer Matty Jones was watching the game and scored the players performances... 

BORO

6 Lumley – Not a great amount to do but was beaten too easily from Carroll’s looping header. Made it easy for the striker.

7 Fry – Had a big task against Carroll and manfully stood up to it. Won near enough every header.

7 Dijskteel – One of his better games recently. Carried the ball out well from the back into good areas.

7 McNair – Carried the ball well and played the ball into good areas. Not his best day on set pieces.

8 Jones – This young man will be hot property soon. Skillful  and energetic, he always looked to make things happen and he did setting up the winning goal.

7 Taylor – Showed a level of experience on the left that proved invaluable for Boro.

7 Howson – Another tidy performance in the middle of the park acting as a linchpin for Boro.

7 Tavernier – Energetic and

8 Crooks – Brilliant performance. Ran all day and put his all in and it paid off with two late headers to win the game.

6 Sporar – Didn’t have much of the ball and perhaps should have scored in the first half from close range.

6 Connolly – Had three shots in the first half and looked to threaten in attacking areas. An okay debut from the Irishman.

Subs:

6 Balogun 67’ – Didn’t find much of the ball but posed a threat with his trickery and skill.

6 Watmore 72’ – Provided another body for Reading to deal with in attack in the late stages.

N/A’ Coburn 84’

Subs not used: Daniels, Payero, Peltier, Bamba

READING XI: Southwood 6; Tetek 6, Bristow 6, Laurent 6, Holmes 6; Rinomhota 7, Drinkwater 7; Hoilett 5 (Camara 56’ 6), Swift 7 (Joao 88’), Dele-Bashiru 7; Carroll 8

Subs not used: Collins, Holzman, Camara, Puscas, Clarke, Joao

Man of the Match: Matt Crooks – Isaiah Jones was a close second but it has to go to the matchwinner on this occasion.