Royals boss Brian McDermott also comes under fire following 2-1 loss at Middlesbrough

The Royals pair were involved in a second-half bust-up on the pitch as tempers boiled over at the Riverside.

Skipper McShane,30, has since been commended for the restraint he showed by sections of the media, while Williams, 27, bore the brunt of supporters' criticisms.

Steve Kemp tweeted: "Blatant split in the camp. Big changes in the player department needed."

@Smudgersport blatant split in the camp. Big changes in the player department needed.

— Steven Kemp (@kempy26783) April 12, 2016

Fozziebear1 tweeted: "Keep the arguments in the dressing room. Disrespect to Reading Fc and fans."

@Smudgersport Keep the arguments in the  dressing room. Disrespect to Reading Fc and fans.

— fozziebear1 (@Fozziebear17) April 12, 2016

Dave Mcormack added: "Think both are big enough to realise it's not on. Expect a public show of togetherness and hugs Saturday."

@Smudgersport think both are big enough to realise it's not on expect s public show of togetherness and hugs Saturday

— Dave McCormack (@davemc_exile) April 12, 2016

Nath St.Paul stated: "It's a disgrace. I want to see that fight directed at the opposition not within our team."

@Smudgersport it's a disgrace. I want to see that fight directed at the opposition not within our team.

— Nath St Paul (@NathStPaulBAWF) April 12, 2016

Paul Tanner declared: "[There is a] split, disgraceful and disappointing. As a club we've had tougher times than now but never players fighting in a match!"

@Smudgersport split, disgraceful and disappointing. As a club we've had tougher times than now but never players fighting in a match!

— Paul Tanner (@longlaneroyal) April 12, 2016

Royals boss Brian McDermott claimed he had not seen the ugly incident, which took place 10 minutes from time with the visitors drawing 1-1 after Simon Cox had cancelled out Emilio Nsue's opener.

But, after Matej Vydra missed a 90th minute sitter for the Royals, Andrew Forshaw struck an injury-time winner to send Boro top of the Championship table.

McDermott, who conducted a frosty post-match interview on local radio, said: "It should have been three points – we had a chance at the end where we should have scored, and they punished us at the other end.

"We were 1-0 down after 10 minutes and it’s never an easy place to get a result, as it has been proven this year. I think we’ve given them as good a game as almost anyone this year."

Reading fan Julian Cox tweeted: "Williams is constantly bawling at his team mates."

@Smudgersport @kempy26783 Williams is constantly bawling at his team mates, blokes a nutcase

— Julian Cox (@juskicox) April 12, 2016

Gary Woodward tweeted: "It shows a split and lack of cohesion. Danny is not a team player always berates his team mates. Went too far tonight."

@Smudgersport It shows a split and lack of cohesion. Danny is not a team player always berates his team mates. Went too far tonight.

— Gary Woodward (@GaryWoodwar1972) April 12, 2016

Woodward added: "Brian should have used the interview to publicly support his captain by ducking the issue he will lose the dressing room."

@Smudgersport Brian should have used the interview to publicly support his captain by ducking the issue he will lose the dressing room.

— Gary Woodward (@GaryWoodwar1972) April 12, 2016

Paul Hawkins said: "Clear out in the summer. Overpaid underperforming squad."

@Smudgersport @willow1871 clear out in the summer. Overpaid underperforming squad.

— Paul Hawkins (@Abbykins2010) April 13, 2016