Cooper disappointed with draw

Cooper: Seeking winning habit

Related links

Teams

• Middlesbrough
• Reading

Also see

• Championship video highlights
• Championship fixtures
• Championship table
• Championship stats

Middlesbrough coach Colin Cooper admits another point against Reading is not much use to his side.

Boro still harbour hopes of breaking into the play-off picture this season, but find themselves five points adrift of the promotion-chasing pack.

Gordon Strachan's men would be in a much stronger position had they been able to hang onto leads in their last three games.

The North East outfit have drawn each of their last three Championship fixtures from a winning position and Cooper admits they need to start seeing matches out.

"We are all very disappointed because it is a game we all know we could have won," said Cooper, facing the media in place of boss Strachan who had to rush off to a family commitment.

Unbeaten

"We are three unbeaten but we haven't won a game either and if we are to have a chance to get into the play-off picture we have to start winning games.

"We worked hard enough as a team and we had a few little spells where we were on top and created chances but it wasn't to be. We huffed and puffed but to be honest we weren't good enough to win today.

"No-one is to blame for that. You can pull individuals to bits if you want but there just wasn't a spark there as a team.

"Both sides had chances but the game was a bit flat and we didn't do enough to rise above that."

Reading boss Brian McDermott was more upbeat after the Riverside Stadium draw, with an own goal from David Wheater having cancelled out Chris Killen's first-half opener.

Quality

"We did well," he said. "Boro are a good team with a lot of quality and this is a tough place to come to.

"We had a bit of a setback when they scored but it was early enough for us to regroup and we showed character to do that.

"Obviously a lot of that is to do with the confidence you get from a good run but it is also because we worked hard and kept our shape and I think got what we deserved.

"In fact if anyone was going to win there at the end it was us but I was pleased and we'll take the point."

McDermott laughed off suggestions Reading themselves could launch a late bid for the top six.

"I'm just glad to be out of the bottom three," he said.