READING FC Under 23s eased into the Premier League Cup quarter finals after an emphatic 4-1 victory against Middlesbrough at Wycombe's Adams Park this afternoon.

Royals got off to the worst possible start in the knockout stages of the competition when they conceded a first-minute goal.

It came when Marcus Tavernier burst down the wing and crossed for Bradley Fewster to convert from close range.

But that was as good as it got for Boro as Reading dominated the game from there.

Yakou Meite served warning of what was to come with a rasping effort that flew narrowly over before a Joseph Mendes effort was bravely blocked by Matthew Elsdon.

Boro's resistance held out for only so long and Reading drew level in the 36th minute when Mendes collected a Ryan East cross and slotted past Aynsley Pears in the visitors' goal.

There was no let-up from Martin Kuhl's side who plundered three more goals without reply in the second half.

Reading Chronicle:

Yakou Meite also scored in the 4-1 win against Middlesbrough.

They went in front for the first time less than a minute after the restart when East delivered another dangerous cross from a corner and Gabriel Osho was on hand to nod home after Rob Dickie's initial had rebounded off the crossbar.

The chances kept coming for the Royals as Meite went close again before Mendes made it 3-1with his second of the game, racing from the half-way line to the edge of the box before unleashing an unstoppable drive.

Tavernier almost pulled one back soon after with a shot that fizzed narrowly wide.

But as they pushed players forward they were left exposed at the back and Reading took advantage by grabbing a fourth, Meite volleying home from six yards after Boro failed to clear a high ball into the box.

Reading: Legg, Watson, Dickie, Osho, Richards, East, Meite, Rinomhota, Mendes, Frost, Novakovich. Subs not used: Medford-Smith, Driscoll, Holsgrove, Barrett, Smith.