READING - Middlesbrough's Tuncay gave under-pressure manager Gareth Southgate a much-needed lift as his late equaliser earned a 1-1 draw at Reading on Saturday.
Southgate has been feeling the heat after a woeful run plunged Middlesbrough into the relegation battle and it looked like being another dispiriting day when Dave Kitson put Reading ahead.
But Turkish attacking midfielder Tuncay hit his first goal for the club with seven minutes to go to send Middlesbrough home relatively happy.
Middlesbrough are now without a win in 11 matches but Southgate will take heart from the way his injury-ravaged side turned in a battling display at the Madejski Stadium.
Southgate was forced to play rookie goalkeeper Ross Turnbull after injuries to Australia's Mark Schwarzer and deputy Brad Jones, while South Korea striker Lee Dong-Gook was drafted in for a rare start.
Middlesbrough hadn't won for three months but they were first to threaten when Jeremie Aliadiere tested Marcus Hahnemann with a smart turn and shot.
Turnbull was forced into action for the first time when he easily held Bobby Convey's strike before Aliadiere's weak shot was held by Hahnemann.
He made another smart stop when Kevin Doyle's flick played in Kitson, who cut inside David Wheater and blasted the ball against Turnbull.
Moments later, Boro had a goal disallowed when Reading failed to clear a corner and the ball reached George Boateng, whose fine finish came from an offside position.
Middlesbrough should have been ahead five minutes before half-time when Hahnemann failed to hold Aliadiere's cross-shot and Lee turned the rebound back to Adam Johnson six yards out.
Johnson's finish went straight through Hahnemann, hit the post and bounced straight into the arms of the fortunate American.
Reading took the lead in the 53rd minute when Doyle met a huge clearance from Hahnemann with a flick that set up Kitson.
Turnbull rushed out but Kitson a fine lobbed volley over the goalkeeper for his fifth goal of the season.
The Royals should have been able to relax after taking the lead but Hahnemann was clearly wound up and became involved in a row with Ibrahima Sonko moments later when the defender left a cross which Aliadiere almost glanced in.
Middlesbrough were able to level in the 83rd minute when Tuncay rose highest to nod Luke Young's pinpoint cross past the helpless Hahnemann.
They were fortunate to escape with the point when Kitson headed Nicky Shorey's cross over the top with the goal at his mercy.
smg/mo
12/01/2007 17:19 GMT