Huddersfield Town lost out to an injury-time penalty just when it looked like Jon Stead had earned Chris Powell a point in his first match as manager with an 86th-minute equaliser.

Grant Leadbitter, who had drilled home a first-half free-kick to put Middlesbrough ahead, netted the late spot kick, awarded for a foul by Tommy Smith.

Stead, on for the injured James Vaughan, had stretched to steer home a cross by fellow substitute Danny Ward to bring the home fans to life.

Boro had the better of a feisty first half and deserved their lead, which came in the 36th minute, when Leadbitter drilled in a long-range free-kick after Nahki Wells fouled George Friend.

Town had lost Vaughan 10 minutes earlier, the striker having failed to convert a great chance when freed by fellow striker Wells, who himself came close with an overhead kick.

The home side's best other opportunity before the break fell to Boro old boy Jacob Butterfield, whose low shot was parried by keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos and cleared for a corner.

Town keeper Alex Smithies did well to stretch and tip wide an effort by Spanish striker Kike, who was set up by Lee Tomlin's neat pass.

Smithies also did well early in the second half, when he smothered at the feet of Kike, who later header over from Albert Adomah's cross when well placed.

Town chances were few and far between, but Stead made his late opportunity count, only for Leadbitter to have the final say.