HUGILL STUNS VISITORS

as results go for us. Then someone else steps in.

“The supporters will be here for the rest of their lives, so you have to respect that – if they’re not happy, they’re not happy.

“You have to roll your sleeves up and fight to turn it around.’’

Keeper Darren Randolph made a point-blank save in the 10th minute to deny striker Lee Gregory after Boro failed to deal with Shaun Williams’ corner.

But Randolph was totally exposed when he was beaten by Wallace, who swept home after Gregory broke clear having harried Adam Clayton.

Midfielder Clayton tried to make amends seven minutes from the break when he floated a ball into the box for Jonny Howson, whose diving header was turned away by Jordan Archer. Pulis went for a bolder approach after the break, handing on-loan winger Rajiv van La Parra a Boro league debut and withdrawing Clayton.

Lewis Wing nearly caught Archer unawares, the keeper fisting clear a speculative right-wing effort. Hugill then wasted a chance on the end of Friend’s left-wing cross and there were cheers when Pulis (below) brought on Britt Assombalonga. But Wallace missed a chance when he fired wide and it proved costly. Sub Stewart Downing crossed from the right and striker Steve Morison, who had come on for Gregory, was guilty of a push on centre-back Daniel Ayala, leaving Hugill to send Archer the wrong way from the spot.

Millwall boss Neil Harris said: “I’m disappointed with the goal. I didn’t think it was a penalty.

“But that’s where my frustration finishes because that was certainly the best performance we’ve produced this season.”