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Reading fall into relegation zone following Spurs defeat

03/05/2008

Reading have been plunged into the relegation zone with one fixture of the season remaining following a 1-0 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur.

The Royals continued their disappointing form that has seen them win just three times since Christmas as Spurs ended a run of six games without a win.

Robbie Keane put Spurs ahead following good work from strike partner Darren Bent. The former Charlton man ran at the Royals defence and that allowed Keane space.

The Irishman then slipped one challenge before slotting the ball past Marcus Hahnemann from a tight angle.

Spurs almost went 2-0 up when Steed Malbranque netted only for the offside flag to be raised, although the Frenchman looked be onside according to replays.

The visitors were dominating proceedings and Nicky Shorey had to make a last-ditch block to deny Bent at the start of the second half.

Bent then struck the post as Spurs continued to search for a second, hitting Reading on the counter-attack as they finally tried to threaten Radek Cerny's goal.

Reading pushed hard for an equaliser as time ran down towards the end of the match but Cerny was in fine form and denied Dave Kitson and Liam Rosenior in quick succession.

The Royals are now in 18th place, one point ahead of Birmingham City and behind Fulham on goal difference, with both sides level on 33 points.

Steve Coppell's side must now beat Derby on the final day of the season and hope other results go their way.

Elsewhere Middlesbrough ensured they definitely avoided any final-day relegation equation with a solid 2-0 win over Portsmouth at the Riverside.

Defender Chris Riggott scored their first just before half time when he headed past David James following Fabio Rochemback's corner.

In the second half Boro doubled their advantage when Tuncay Sanli took advantage of another corner. This time it was Stewart Downing whose delivery was pin-point and Tuncay gave Boro a welcome cushion.

Meanwhile Portsmouth had been wasteful all afternoon and had the look of a side with the FA Cup final on its mind.