Warnock left flagging as Howson goal ruled out

NEIL WARNOCK insisted Middlesbrough were robbed of victory by an offside flag. Midfielder Jonny Howson saw a second-half goal ruled out, but Warnock (left) was baffled by the decision.

The Boro boss complained: “We thought one goal would do it – and we scored it, great goal.

“It disappoints me that a linesman looking straight across can’t see that it’s onside. “I wonder what he thinks when he goes home and watches it. We worked so hard for that and it’s somebody who’s probably not played the game. It’s wrong and it’s three points gone.

“When George Saville played the ball, there was a kid half a yard inside Jonny. It’s a travesty.’’

Second-placed Reading lost their 100 per cent league record this season against bogey team

Boro, who had won their previous seven encounters.

The Royals have still only conceded once in the Championship this season, but boss Veljko Paunovic admitted: “I’m never happy when the team doesn’t win.

“But I’m content with the hustle and the warrior spirit, the clean sheet and the mentality.

“We pushed to the end and we were very close to getting the three points.”