READING FC boss Steve Clarke believes a blistering start was the key to beating promotion-rivals Middlesbrough.

Danny Williams gave Royals a stunning lead after just 15 seconds when he headed in Hal Robson-Kanu's cross.

A Nick Blackman penalty in the 87th minute sealed a 2-0 victory and sent Royals up to third in the Championship table and two point behind second-placed Boro.

Clarke's men have profited from a number of fast starts in recent weeks after early goals against Ipswich Town, Bristol City and Burnley also set Royals on their way to impressive wins.

And the Reading manager will be hoping the trend continues.

“It was nice to do it at home – it was good for the crowd,” he beamed. “We had a big crowd and we got off to a flying start which got the crowd vocal right from the start.

“We knew that it was always going to be difficult, but getting that early goal just changed the dynamic of the game a little bit.

“We have made a habit of it in recent weeks and it’s a very good habit to have.”

He added:  “Middlesbrough would have been speaking before the game about being solid, inviting us on to them and maybe trying to pick us off on the counter-attack.

“That goal changed it and meant that Middlesbrough at some stage would have to open up and come out at us.

“To be fair to them, they kept their shape and kept probing away in the first half.

“When the game opened up in the second half, we had three or four really good opportunities on the counter to get the second goal. We didn’t make the most of that but eventually we got the late penalty – that probably put a bit of gloss on the performance.”

Readings victory against high-flying Boro was their fifth in six Championship matches going into a fortnight's international break.

And Clarke also praised the performance of Ali Al Habsi who returned between the sticks in place of the injured Jonathan Bond.

The Oman keeper was rock solid on the day and pulled of one sensational save to deny Boro's Stewart Downing in the first half.

“I’m absolutely delighted for Ali Al-Habsi – he’s had a little bit of criticism this year,” Clarke declared.

“He is a senior goalkeeper and he understands the job. He knows that he has made one or two mistakes in games. On Saturday there were no mistakes. His handling was perfect and one save from a really difficult free-kick in the first half especially important.

“The rest of the time when the ball comes in your box and the goalkeeper comes and catches it or punches it with a good connection, it just gives your defenders a bit more confidence.

“Mind you, Michael Hector and Paul McShane in front of them and the two full-backs don’t need much confidence at the moment because they’re defending really well.”