Simon Grayson, already without three senior strikers through injury, will be also be missing Max Gradel and Jonny Howson after card-happy referee Anthony Taylor’s hapless performance at Elland Road.
Taylor dished out 12 red cards in 32 matches last season and bumped up his average as he gave the players no margin for error. Yellow cards were dished out with abandon – three of them turning to red.
Gradel received his second yellow after only 26 minutes and was followed by Boro’s Tony McMahon on the stroke of half-time for an innocuous challenge on Howson.
On the hour, skipper Howson was ordered off after a challenge on Marvin Emnes, Taylor having initially signalled a free-kick to Leeds. Confusion and anger reigned in the home camp, although the attitude of some players on both sides didn’t help the beleagured official.
It all helped to stir the Elland Road melting-pot with a tense atmosphere created by a pre-match protest by a section of home fans against chairman Ken Bates.
Down to nine men and with only one recognised midfielder on the pitch, Leeds rarely threatened but Boro’s failure to net a second goal, coupled with some fine saves by Andy Lonergan, kept United in the game right until the final whistle.
It was hard to evaluate United’s performance amid the chaos but there was an assured first Leeds start by young defender Tom Lees and an energetic display by Adam Clayton, who almost scored with a chip from the halfway line.
Leeds United: Longergan, Lees, Kisborbo, Bromby, O’Dea, Snodgrass (Thompson 65), Brown (Nunez 56), Howson, Clayton, Gradel, McCormack (Sam 75).
Subs (not used): Rachubka, White.
Cautions: Gradel, Howson, Brown, Clayton, O’Dea.
Sent off: Gradel, Howson.
Middlesbrough: Ikeme, McMahon, Bates, McManus, Bennett, Hoyte (Arca 64), Robson (Martin 65), Bailey, Williams (Hines 90), McDonald, Emnes.
Subs (not used): Kink, Smallwood.
Cautions: McMahon, Williams.
Sent off: McMahon.
Referee: Anthony Taylor (Wythenshaw).
Attendance: 25,650.