David Wheater conceded an own-goal as Reading came from behind to salvage a point at the Riverside.
Chris Killen had earlier headed in Justin Hoyte’s cross to earn Boro the lead two minutes into the second-half.
But that advantage disappeared as Jimmy Kebe’s 63rd minute delivery struck Wheater on its way into the net.
Killen was first to threaten with a low early drive before also going close with a header. Kebe replied for the visitors with a header that went just wide and he also sent another effort over after Brad Jones had parried a Shane Long header.
Boro’s Barry Robson then forced a routine save from Adam Federici before the break. However, Gary O’Neil allowed Hoyte to cross and Killen lifted a header over Federici straight after the restart.
Royals keeper Federici soon had to turn over a dipping O’Neil effort, while Scott McDonald and Jonathan Franks also tried their luck.
The visitors were next to threaten as Kebe called Jones into action at his near post. But the home keeper couldn’t do anything as Kebe drove into the area and fired a low ball across that struck Wheater and diverted into the net.
Reading were now appearing stronger despite Boro’s O’Neil clearing the target from distance and Killen producing a save from Federici on the break.
Gylfi Sigurdsson was then twice denied by home keeper Jones late on as the honours remained shared.
Middlesbrough: Jones, Hoyte (Naughton 65), Pogatetz, Grounds, Wheater, O’Neil, Robson, Arca, McDonald (Lita 74), Killen, Franks (Emnes 87)
subs (unused): Coyne, Taylor, Riggott, Miller
Goals: Killen (47)
Reading: Federici, Mills, Ingimarsson (Khizanishvili 90), Bertrand, Griffin, Tabb, McAnuff, Kebe, Sigurdsson, Howard, Long
subs (unused): Hamer, Gunnarsson, Matejovsky, Robson-Kanu, Church, Rasiak
Goals: Wheater OG (63)
Ref: Hall
Att: 17,082
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