Middlesbrough 1-1 Reading: The Daily Mirror match report

Kiwi Chris Killen is eyeing a stunning hat-trick - a place in the play-offs, a trip to the World Cup and a permanent move to Middlesbrough.

The Celtic striker is almost certain to go to South Africa but his first target is in doubt after a third successive draw dented Boro's play-off hopes.

But Killen did score the second goal of his loan spell to boost his campaign for a long-term contract at the Riverside.

"There haven't been any talks as yet," admitted Killen. "I think everyone wants to see where the team is going to be at the end of the season.

"I'm concentrating on my individual performances and helping the team to at least get in the play-offs.

"I'd definitely be interested in staying. I've really enjoyed working with the coaching staff here, and there's a good bunch of players. I'm really settled here. I've enjoyed the short time I've been here and I'd be delighted to stay.

"I think the manager and the coaching staff want to see where we're going to be before they start making a decision on players. Once the season has finished, they'll start to think about what players are going in and out. "I have a big summer ahead of me because I have the World Cup to look forward to as well."

Boro are now unbeaten in eight Championship games at the Riverside but half those games have reaped just one point.

They play host to Preston tomorrow and Killen knows that a fourth consecutive share of the spoils will all-but destroy their play-off hopes.

"It's getting tougher and tougher to make the play-offs, but it's still mathematically possible so we have to keep going and look forward to Tuesday.

"The Preston game is massive now, but all the games are important because we have to start picking up more than one point a game. We have to make sure we beat Preston.

"We donít want the season to crawl away from us. We want to make sure that we can get up the league and get into the play-offs.

"It's still possible, but it's going to be very tough and we're going to have to win games rather than draw them."

Boro's cause is not being helped by an injury list that saw them field their 20th different back four of the season against Reading.

They were breached on the half-hour mark but recalled keeper Brad Jones pulled off a stunning save to keep the game goalless.

Just after the break Killen struck with a looping header from a Justin Hoyte cross and for 15 minutes the sparse home support were dreaming of a vital victory.

But the impressive Jimmy Kebe had other ideas and his run along the byline left Emmanuel Pogatetz floundering and David Wheater deflecting the ball into his own net.

Jones had to make a late save to deny Gylfi Sigurdsson as Reading looked the most likely team to break the deadlock.

Royals boss Brian McDermott paid tribute to defender Matt Mills, who jumped the advertising hoardings and climbed a flight of stairs to throw his shirt to Reading's travelling fans.

Mills was forced to make a public apology last week after a one-fingered salute aimed towards the Royals support.

"I thought it was a class thing for him to do - it was a class act and I am sure the supporters appreciated that," said McDermott.

"He feels he owes the supporters and you could see the response today, I was so pleased."