Middlesbrough lead Yeovil Town at half time in the Championship, but had to come from behind after conceding early on.
The hosts got off to the worst possible start when captain Rhys Williams gave the ball away and it fell to Liam Davis, who slotted coolly past Luke Steele to put Yeovil in front with only four minutes gone.
However, they were level soon after thanks to a Grant Leadbitter volley from a corner as Middlesbrough looked to reverse their poor home form that has left them with no wins at the Riverside Stadium in the league.
Boro were nearly ahead when Kei Kamara thumped a shot against Wayne Hennessey's crossbar and then smashed the rebound against the post for good measure as the frantic opening to the game continued.
Tony Mowbray's side did take the lead midway through the half when Dean Whitehead played an incisive through-ball for George Friend, who was brought down for a penalty.
Leadbitter's subsequent spot kick was tipped onto the post, but Albert Adomah was on hand to tuck away the rebound.
Adomah was at the centre of a penalty shout when he was brought down inside the area, but referee Dean Whitestone did not see it that way.
Yeovil thought that they had equalised when Paddy Madden put the ball past Luke Steele only to be flagged for offside.
Boro will hope to hang on for the first win at home and pull themselves away from Championship danger zone, having started the game only four points ahead of the relegation places.
Chris O'Keefe
