Nigel Adkins side host Nottingham Forest on New Year's Day looking to bounce back immediately and make up some lost ground on the play-off places.
"We weren't good enough to be where we want to be and that is pushing for the Premier League," said manager Adkins afterwards. "And fair play to Middlesbrough, they played well.
"We know we need to strengthen in January and we have had injuries but that performance was nowhere near good enough - and it's my responsibility to deal with it."
The fixture is the second meeting of the two sides in just over a month after an exciting win for Reading at the City Ground at the end of November. That came as the Reds were in a slightly sticky patch of form but Billy Davies and his side will travel in good spirits after two excellent home victories over Christmas.