Tuncay claims Boro equaliser

Tuncay came off the bench to net his first goal for Middlesbrough and snatch a 1-1 draw at Reading, but it was not enough to ease his side's relegation fears.

Dave Kitson looked to have given the home side all three Barclays Premier League points with a well-taken lob early in the second half but Tuncay's late header earned what could prove a crucial point for manager Gareth Southgate.

Boro were just about worthy of a draw after seeing Adam Johnson hit the post in the first half, although Kitson should have won it when heading over in stoppage time.

Jeremie Aliadiere had the first meaningful effort with a turn and shot straight at Marcus Hahnemann after 10 minutes.

Kevin Doyle's flick then played in Dave Kitson, who cut inside David Wheater and blasted the ball against Boro keeper Ross Turnbull.

Boro rightly had a goal disallowed when Reading failed to clear a corner and the ball reached George Boateng, whose fine finish arrived from an offside position.

Boro really should have been ahead five minutes before half-time when Hahnemann failed to hold Aliadiere's cross-shot and the recalled Dong-Gook Lee turned the rebound back to Adam Johnson six yards out.

Johnson's finish went straight through Hahnemann, hit the post and bounced straight into the arms of the fortunate American. After the break Reading went ahead through the most straightforward of goals.

A monster clearance from Hahnemann saw Doyle out-jump Wheater and flick the ball to Kitson. Faced with the onrushing Turnbull, the striker produced the coolest of lobbed volleys over the goalkeeper and into the net for his fifth goal of the season.

But Tuncay netted the equaliser six minutes from time. After a spell of severe pressure from the visitors, Tuncay rose highest to nod Young's pinpoint cross past the helpless Hahnemann.