Leroy Lita marked his return to Reading with a fine goal as Middlesbrough ensured that the Royals' long wait for a home Coca-Cola Championship win continues.

Lita had four years at Reading before joining Gareth Southgate's side in the summer, and after missing a decent chance in the first half buried the killer second goal after the break.

Defender Sean St Ledger had put Boro ahead with his second goal since joining on loan from Preston before Lita's strike left Royals manager Brendan Rodgers with a familiar feeling.

Reading have not won at the Madejski Stadium since they beat Wolves in January and have now scored just five goals in the following 15 matches in front of their own fans.

Rodgers named an unchanged side for the first time since arriving in the summer but Lita looked keen to reintroduce himself to the crowd from the off.

He nearly burst clear in the first minute but was denied by Adam Federici before Reading midfielder Jem Karacan hit a low shot straight at Boro goalkeeper Brad Jones.

It was an open start to the game and Southgate's side took the lead in the 12th minute.

Adam Johnson swung in a corner from the right wing and St Ledger was first to the ball at the near post to power in a header which took a deflection on its way into the net.

Federici was left helpless by the deflection in front of him but was alert minutes later to prevent Lita from doubling the advantage.

A long ball forward caught the Reading defence square and Lita was in acres of space.

However the striker lost his composure and mis-hit his shot into Federici's chest after the Australian had raced out to narrow the angle.

It was a bad miss by Lita but one that was matched at the other end when Jimmy Kebe should have levelled for the hosts.

A raking pass from Brian Howard picked out Jobi McAnuff on the left wing and he skipped past Tony McMahon to put a cross into the goalmouth.

Kebe arrived just six yards from goal but could only steer a tame header wide of the near post.

But Lita stole the limelight in the 55th minute with a marvellous solo goal.

Gary O'Neil volleyed a pass from just outside his own area up to Lita on the halfway line. Lita had it all to do but turned and outpaced both Darren O'Dea and Ivar Ingimarsson to race in on Federici.

This time he had the quality to beat the goalkeeper and buried a low shot into the far corner and double the lead.

The goal took the sting out of the hosts and Jeremie Aliadiere came close to a third late on with a powerful shot which was well saved by Federici.

The game petered out into a familiar conclusion for Reading fans as Boro moved up to third.

Teams:

Reading Federici, Cummings, Ingimarsson, O'Dea, Bertrand,Gunnarsson (Sigurdsson 58), Karacan, Kebe (Hunt 46), McAnuff,Howard, Church.

Subs Not Used: Hamer, Cisse, Mills, Matejovsky, Pearce.

Middlesbrough Jones, McMahon, St. Ledger, Wheater, Bennett,Yeates (Arca 70), O'Neil, Williams, Johnson, Lita (Emnes 88),Aliadiere.

Subs Not Used: Coyne, Hoyte, Digard, Grounds, Hines.

Goals: St. Ledger 12, Lita 55.

Att: 17,638

Ref: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire).