Middlesbrough regain Championship top spot

Forshaw eventually forced the ball home at the end of a goalmouth scramble in the fourth minute of stoppage time, after Simon Cox's first goal in 16 months had cancelled out Emilio Nsue's opener for Reading.

Victory left Boro two points clear of Burnley and, with both Newcastle and Sunderland in the Premier League relegation zone, they could be the north-east's lone representative in the English top flight next season.

The result was a good end to a day which also saw Boro striker Cristhian Stuani miss the Reading match as he started a three-match ban after being found guilty of violent conduct.

The 29-year-old Uruguayan was charged by the Football Association on Tuesday in relation to an incident -- not spotted by the officials -- involving Preston defender Greg Cunningham during Saturday's 1-0 league win at the Riverside Stadium.

A Football Association statement said: "Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing today, 12 April 2016, Cristhian Stuani will serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect.

"The Middlesbrough forward was charged with violent conduct following an incident in the 54th minute of the game on Saturday 9 April 2016 against Preston North End, which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video.

"A regulatory commission found the case proven and Stuani will serve an immediate three-match suspension."

Elsewhere on Tuesday, Birmingham City's play-off hopes took a hit with a 2-1 defeat at home to Leeds.