Neil Warnock reveals why he didn't bring on Patrick Roberts and substituted Britt Assombalonga during Middlesbrough's draw with Reading

Neither side created many goal-scoring opportunities at the Riverside, yet Boro did have the ball in the net when Jonny Howson converted from close range.

Warnock could be heard shouting at the officials after the match and made his feelings known during his post-match press conference.

“We had to be really on our game today and not worry about beautiful football and things like that,” said Warnock. ”We knew it would be a dour game and we thought one goal would do it and we scored that, great goal.

“It disappoints me that a linesman looking straight across can't see it's onside. Even their IT lad was telling us it was onside.

"I wonder what he (the linesman) thinks tonight when he goes home and watches that.

"We worked so hard for that and someone who hasn't played the game....it's easy to put your flag up but it's wrong and it's three points gone."

Despite not taking three points Warnock was pleased with his side's performance against a team which had won all four league games before travelling to Teesside.

Warnock resisted the temptation to bring on Patrick Roberts in the second half, even though Boro striker Chuba Akpom was becoming isolated up front.

"You can understand how Reading win games if teams become open,” explained Warnock.

"That's why I didn't think I could put Roberts on today."

Warnock decided to take off captain Britt Assombalonga at half-time, saving the striker for next week’s games at Bristol City and Cardiff.

The Boro boss also confirmed Ashley Fletcher is likely to be sidelined until January with a hamstring injury.

When asked about Assombalonga, Warnock said: “He was a bit stiff, we've got three games in a week. He'll have to play a full game on Tuesday.

"It was a toss up between him and Chuba but he came back well in the second half.

"I had a chat with him at half-time, I said, 'we can't have another Ashley Fletcher, so I'd rather you come off now and be available if not for Tuesday then for Saturday'."

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