FORMER Saints boss Nigel Adkins’ dream of an instant return to the Premier League remain intact.

Reading's promotion hopes were boosted by a 2-0 home win over Middlesbrough last night that moved them up to sixth in the table.

The damage was done inside the opening 15 minutes, through Adam Le Fondre and a George Friend own goal, and boss Nigel Adkins is pleased a play-off place is now within their grasp.

“Our destiny is in our own hands,” promition specialist Adkins said.

“We started well, got two great goals and played some good football. You saw the togetherness of the team.

“Middlesbrough are a good side so for me it's an excellent result and it puts us in play-off positions with two tough games to come.

“We are still in the race and and everyone knows when you get to the play-offs it's anyone's game."

The Royals had not won at the Madejski Stadium since January while an Easter mauling at Wigan had seen them slip down to ninth place.

Adkins is aiming for the fifth promotion of a Football League managerial career that only began in late 2006.

He twice led Scunthorpe to promotion from the third division, before guiding Saints from League 1 to the Premier League in successive years.