Andy Carroll finds the net in the North-East but Reading lose late at Middlesbrough
On this day in 2022, Reading suffered a last-minute 2-1 defeat at Middlesbrough to cap off a miserable week for the Royals.
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Veljko Paunovic's Royals, who finished seventh in the Championship during 2020/21, struggled to find their feet upon the crowd's returning to stadium's after Covid-19 in 2021/22.
Languishing in the bottom half of the division for all-but five weeks across the season, the nadir of the campaign was January as the club struggled to bounce back from the first of many points deductions inflicted on the club in November.
Throwing away a two-goal lead at home to bottom club Derby County on New Year's Day to draw 2-2, next came a harrowing FA Cup exit at the hands of sixth tier Kidderminster Harriers.
As if that was not embarrassing enough, a record home defeat to Fulham came three days later with a 7-0 humbling.
Four days later, the Royals trekked up to Teesside to face Chris Wilder's Middlesbrough, who were chasing the play-offs and found some form around the festive period.
A nip and tuck tie, Reading more than held their own at the Riverside Stadium and were looking likely to earn a point.
A son of the North-East, England international Andy Carroll put the visitors into the lead with a looping header sent in by Watford loanee Tom Dele-Bashiru.
Future Reading goalkeeper Joe Lumley was forced into a string of saves late on and it looked like the Royals were to head home to Berkshire with the three points in the bag.
However, when your luck is out, your luck is out.
Matt Crooks, who had already grabbed a brace for the Boro on Boxing Day in a win over Rotherham United, popped up in the 84th and 95th minute to turn the tide.
A sixth win in seven and lifting Wilder's side into the play-offs, Reading remained 21st and just three points clear of the relegation zone.
From December until May, the Royals remained 21st and despite seven straight defeats in January, Paunovic remained at the helm until being replaced by Paul Ince in late February.
