Brian Howard has urged his team mates to keep believing, after a disappointing loss to high-flying Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon.

The ex-Sheffield United midfielder saw goals from Sean St Ledger and Leroy Lita hand three points to Gareth Southgate's side, and admitted that the Royals will need to put in some hard work to drag themselves up the Championship table.

"We have to keep believing and keep working hard, but it's disappointing after such a great result on Tuesday night to get rolled over on your own patch," he said.

"First half I thought we performed really well and passed the ball well again but didn't take our opportunities. We're not getting anything in the box and I think that's what it is. That's not good enough and we know that, we have two weeks to put it right now, a lot of the lads are going to go away on their international break so the lads here are going to work hard and make sure we get it right. "

The defeat has extended the club's winless streak at Madejski Stadium, though Howard has again promised that the squad are prepared to forget the past in a bid to pick up a much-coveted home victory.

"I think that it's gone on so long there's a pressure around the place...it does affect you but you're professional footballers and you're paid to play football and win games, so you need to put all that behind you and get on and win the game."