Reading midfielder Alen Halilovic got the only goal - his first for the club - as the Royals beat Middlesbrough.
Boro were out of luck as they were undone only by a fortuitous deflection and then had Matt Crooks very harshly sent off four minutes from time for an innocuous sliding challenge on home keeper Luke Southwood.
Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock confirmed afterwards that they would appeal against Crooks' dismissal.
But Boro remained a threat on the park and almost snatched a sensational late equaliser during the 12 minutes of injury time caused by a bloodied Junior Hoilett going down after a challenge from Paddy McNair.