Goals:

1-0 Wallace (31, beat the offside trap to slip a shot under Randolph)

2-0 Saville (37, collected Steve Morison’s cross and bundled his way past three Middlesbrough defenders before slotting in)

1-2 Downing (67, let fly from distance and saw his effort slip through the grasp of Jordan Archer)

Referee: Oliver Langford (West Midlands) - Seemed to like the sound of his own whistle and booked seven players in what wasn’t a dirty game. 5

Bookings: Braithwaite (10, foul); Gregory (27, foul); Romeo (29, foul); Bamford (41, foul); Wallace (89, foul), Meredith (90, foul); Leadbitter (77, foul)

Attendance: 12,026

Entertainment: **

MILLWALL (4-4-2): Archer 6; Romeo 6, Hutchinson 7, Cooper 6, Meredith 6; Wallace 7, Tunnicliffe 7, SAVILLE 8, O’Brien 7 (Craig 86, 5); Morison 6; Gregory 7 (Williams 74, 5). Subs (not used): Martin (gk), McLaughlin, Thompson, Elliott, Twardek.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1):

6 Randolph: Made a brilliant save to deny Gregory with the game goalless but powerless to stop Millwall’s two goals. Also denied Morison late on.

5 Christie: Impressed in fits and starts but was caused plenty of problems by O’Brien. Replaced with ten minutes remaining.

5 Ayala: Made a couple of good blocks but sometimes struggled to deal with Millwall’s physical front two pairing of Morison and Gregory.

6 Gibson: Won some important headers but, like the rest of the Boro backline, it wasn’t his best day at the office.

5 Fabio: Plenty of effort and got forward on several occasions, but some misplaced passes let him down.

6 Leadbitter: Urged his side on but almost gifted Millwall a third when his stray header sent Morison clear.

5 Howson: Found himself overrun in the first half and made way for Gestede soon after the break.

8 DOWNING: Started out on the right and was heavily involved but came even more into the game when he dropped deeper following the introduction of Gestede. Got Boro back into it with a long-range drive.

6 Bamford: Looked bright early on and saw a shot hit the near post. Faded in the second half.

7 Braithwaite: Full of running down the left and one of Boro’s best players on the day, but should have done better with a second-half header.

5 Assombalonga: Continually caught offside and saw one effort ruled out by an assistant referee’s flag. Not given a great deal of service.

Subs

Gestede (for Howson 58): Gave Boro more options in the final third but never received a delivery he could get his head on. 6

Traore (for Christie 80)

Johnson (for Braithwaite 80)

(not used): Konstantopoulous (gk), Friend, Shotton, Forshaw

MAN OF THE MATCH: Stewart Downing: Impressed on the right-hand side, before moving further infield in the second half and taking the game by the scruff of the neck. Reduced the arrears with his 25-yard strike.