Middlesbrough 1-1 Millwall: New Boro boss Chris Wilder takes point from first game
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Chris Wilder also failed to win his first game in charge at his past three clubs
New Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder had to settle for a point from his first game in charge as his side were pegged back by Millwall at Riverside Stadium.
Boro made the stronger start and took the lead after 15 minutes, as Duncan Watmore's cross deflected to Matt Crooks, who steered his header home at the back post.
Millwall had lost just two of their previous 13 Championship games and responded well as Benik Afobe's shot from eight yards was cleared but bounced in off the unfortunate Sol Bamba for an own goal.
In the second half, Boro scrambled the ball clear when Millwall defender Daniel Ballard headed across goal from a free-kick, before Lions keeper Bartosz Bialkowski tipped away a powerful Marcus Tavernier strike after the midfielder cut inside.
The draw leaves Boro 14th in the Championship table on 23 points, while Gary Rowett's Lions remain ninth with 26.
Wilder had almost two weeks to work with his squad since replacing Neil Warnock at the Riverside because of the international break and started his tenure with Middlesbrough just four points off the play-offs.
The new boss had not won his first game in charge at his past three clubs - Northampton, Oxford and Sheffield United - but his Boro side made a strong start and had a great early chance when Watmore was played in on goal but his low effort was smothered by Millwall keeper Bialkowski.
The hosts took the lead when Watmore found Crooks from the byline, and he steered his header past Bialkowski to give Wilder a dream start.
Rowett's visitors pressed in reply and their fortunate equaliser came via an own goal from the unwitting Bamba in the 27th minute.
Afobe stretched to meet a ball in from the left, it was cleared in front of keeper Luke Daniels but bounced off the Boro defender who could only watch it go into his own net.
Watmore assisted the opening goal for Boro and the winger continued to be the main creator for the hosts in the second half, Marc Bola dragging a shot wide from his pass.
Onel Hernandez had a strike blocked from the edge of the area as Wilder's side looked for a late winner, but the Lions held on to clinch a point.
Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Tees:
"We were up against a competitive outfit - they all are in the Championship.
"The way the players have adapted to a new way of playing - because we're talking about being possession based - in possession and out of possession they've had a hell of a lot chucked at them.
"The players have been really receptive, and so they should because this is a proper football club. If they want to stay on the journey then they've got to stay on board and keep with us.
"The depth of the group needs to be a touch better, we all know - I'm not chucking anybody under the bus - but we'll do that.
"What I've learned is positive stuff. They're brave on the ball, they passed it well - we just ran out of energy."
Millwall manager Gary Rowett told BBC London 94.9:
"We had a tough first half. We conceded a very poor goal - a really soft goal on our behalf. We bounced back in our typical style. We've got a lot of character and spirit in this team - they never know when they're beaten.
"We ended up getting a goal of our own which we forced with some good play and good runs into the box.
"We were poor in the first half. We were a little bit too open at times and a little bit wasteful on the ball and we left ourselves opportunities to be counter-attacked.
"Second half we played with a lot more control and looked a lot less in trouble.
"I'd like to see us creating more opportunities going forward, but sometimes away from home you've got to dig deep and I think it's an excellent point."