READING FC were victorious against Middlesbrough in Saturday's Championship game of the day, having scored after 15 seconds.

The incredible opening came straight from the kick off when Danny Williams was left unmarked to head home an Hal Robson-Kanu cross before many fans had even taken their seats.

And a second goal at the other end of the game came when Nick Blackman netted from the penalty spot with two minutes of normal time remaining to settle any nerves.

While Royals were forced to weather some pressure in the second-half, they were the better side for most of the contest between the division's second and fourth-placed clubs before kick off.

But it was Steve Clarke's hosts secured the bragging rights in this particular battle with their fifth league win in six matches.

The result also put an abrupt end to Middlesbrough's seven-match winning streak in all competitions and it leaves the Championship promotion race wide open going into the international break.

Clarke made two changes to the side that won 2-1 at Burnley a week earlier.

Orlando Sa was put straight back into the team after serving a three-match ban at the expense of Garath McCleary, while Ali Al Habsi replaced Jonathan Bond between the sticks.

Bond is thought to have picked up a knock in the victory at Turf Moor and was not even on the bench, with ex-Academy keeper Stuart Moore among the subs.

Like plenty of fans, Royals' boss was still settling down for the match when his side burst into a lead with just 15 SECONDS on the clock.

Reading moved the ball left from the kick-off and when Robson-Kanu's inviting cross arrived in the box, Williams strolled through a non-existent defence to head past Dimi Konstantopoulos in the Boro goal.

The Greek keeper got a strong hand to the ball, but there was plenty of power behind Williams's header which ended up in the top corner.

It was the third fastest goal in Reading FC history after Jimmy Kebe and Mark White and it gave Reading a dream start.

It was also Williams' first goal at the Madejski Stadium, with all five of his others coming away from home.

But the game soon settled down and Boro began to see more of the ball – though they rarely looked like causing Reading's defence any trouble.

In fact, it was Royals who continued to create the better opportunities and they almost grabbed a second in the 28th minute.

Boro's Fernando Amorebieta was booked for a foul on Sa, and when Oliver Norwood floated a free-kick into the area, Paul McShane climbed highest only to head wide of the far post.

Boro responded with their first shot on target in the 36th minute which almost led to a goal – but for the heroics of Al Habsi.

Royals conceded a soft foul on the right and Stewart Downing's stinging free-kick avoided everyone but was superbly kept out by the Oman keeper.

Two minutes before the break Boro's Christian Stuani blazed over from 12 yards when he had a spare man outside him.

It may have been a let off for Royals, but they hit back immediately and Norwood's first-time volley from wide on the right from a recycled corner caught Konstantopoulos napping and was only an inch away from nestling in the top corner.

The hosts also created the first genuine chance of the second half when Sa's header flashed an inch wide of the near post from Robson-Kanu's centre.

However, they were relieved when referee Keith Stroud rejected Boro's penalty appeals for handball against Jordan Obita.

Then just after the hour mark Boro skipper Grant Leadbitter smacked a 30-yard effort narrowly wide as Royals began to look nervous.

But they stuck to their guns and Norwood replied with a free-kick that curled over the wall but just wide.

Nevertheless, Boro pushed more and more bodies forward in the closing stages in search of an equaliser.

But on 78 minutes they blew a gilt-edged chance when substitute Carlos De Pena failed to keep his header on target from a cross from the right.

Soon after Kike blazed wide from a tight angle, much to the delight of Royals' fans.

But the home supporters were soon back on their feet when their side added a vital second goal with two minutes of normal time remaining.

Blackman played a neat one-two with Williams and was clearly shoved in the back in front of goal.

Stroud checked with his linesman before pointing to the spot and Blackman sent Konstantopoulos the wrong way for his ninth goal of the season.

The win saw Reading climb back above Burnley into third place and only two points behind second-placed Middlesbrough going into the fortnight's international break.