Brad Jones and Rhys Williams won the battle of the Aussies as Middlesbrough won 2-0 at Adam Federici's Reading in the English Championship overnight.Goalkeepers Federici and Jones were both surprisingly overlooked for Pim Verbeek's latest Socceroos squad in favour of veteran Ante Covic but started at their respective ends for either side in the clash at Reading's Madejski Stadium.
And it was Federici who was tested first, when Boro's ex-Reading striker Leroy Lita flicked on a ninth minute header which the Australian saved.
Three minutes later though, Federici was beaten when Adam Johnson's inswinging corner was headed towards goal by Sean St Ledger with Lita claiming the final touch.
Lita should have doubled Boro's lead soon after when he was presented with a great chance but his miscued effort was collected by Federici.
Down the other end, Jones wasn't terribly busy but whenever he was called upon he was in good form with Brian Howard going closest for the Royals.
Ten minutes into the second-half, Lita did double Boro's lead by beating Federici in a one-on-one situation with a superb finish. Interestingly, Lita's muted celebration was applauded by his former supporters.
A third goal would've rounded it off for Boro, but with 20 minutes left Federici kept the Royals alive with a stunning save from Jeremie Aliadiere's effort. The Royals couldn't conjure up anything and it ended 2-0 to Boro who stay third, while Reading drop to 21st.
Elsewhere in the Championship, Nick Carle made a half-hour appearance of the bench as Crystal Palace's revival continued with a 4-1 triumph over Blackpool.
Another club enjoying a resurgence is Shane Lowry's Plymouth Argyle, as they defeated Scunthorpe United 2-1 with the newly called-up Socceroo playing a full game for the Pilgrims. New Zealand international Rory Fallon opened the scoring for Plymouth too.
In League One, Leeds United retained top spot after a 0-0 draw with second-placed Charlton at Elland Road.
Beijing Olyroo Neil Kilkenny made his first start of the season for Leeds, replacing the injured Robert Snodgrass, while fellow Aussie Patrick Kisnorbo played another full game in defence for the Whites.
And Kilkenny, fighting for a regular starting place, produced an industrious display for Leeds before being replaced on 79 minutes. The Aussie's early brilliant through-ball for an advancing Jermaine Beckford, who shot wide, was an example of what Kilkenny offers.
Elsewhere in League One, Gareth Edds was an unused sub as the pressure mounts on John Barnes' tenure at Tranmere following a 5-0 loss at Millwall. Meanwhile, Michael Theoklitos wasn't in the Norwich squad which won 5-1 over Bristol Rovers and fellow Aussie stopper Jamie Young was an unused sub as Wycombe lost 1-0 at home to Leyton Orient.
In League Two, Shane Cansdell-Sherriff played another full game at the back for promotion chasing Shrewsbury as they drew 1-1 at Morecambe.
Elsewhere, Daniel Leach was on the bench as Barnet beat Grimsby 3-0, while Scott Guyett was missing as Bournemouth drew 0-0 at Port Vale although they remain top.
In the Blue Square Premier League, Kyle Nix's Mansfield Town went to 4th after beating Forest Green Rovers 1-0, with the Aussie playing 82 minutes, while James Meredith put in a full shift as York City drew 1-1 with Stevenage.
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