Terry Venables enjoyed mixed fortunes on his return to Middlesbrough as his Leeds side came away with a point but had Alan Smith sent off.
The former Boro boss had to make do with a draw when Gareth Southgate equalised for the home side seven minutes from time.
Leeds had earlier led through a Mark Viduka penalty and, after Joseph-Desire Job levelled for Boro, a second-half strike from Lee Bowyer.
But Smith's red card in the 77th minute for a late challenge on Southgate let Steve McClaren's side back into the match, and the Boro skipper made Leeds pay by salvaging a point.
It was very much against the run of play when Viduka put the visitors ahead in the eighth minute.
He was judged to have been brought down by Uho Ehiogu and, after protests from the Boro players, the Australian converted the penalty himself.
But the goal did not affect a confident Middlesbrough side, and they continued to dominate.
After firing over from close range in the 18th minute, Job deservedly brought Boro level seven minutes later.
Geremi collected a deflection off Bowyer and slid the ball across the face of the goal for Job to calmly slot home from six yards.
As the half progressed Leeds were forced further back, and their frustration was evident when Smith was booked before the break for a foul on Job.
It seemed likely that Boro would push on after the break and take the lead but they were again caught out just as they were starting to dominate.
Harry Kewell combined with compatriot with Viduka to set up Bowyer, who finished from the edge of the six-yard box.
It was a harsh blow for Boro, but Geremi and George Boateng did their best to drive the home side forward.
A succession of corners followed as they searched for the equaliser but again it was Leeds who went closest to scoring, as Kewell saw his header brilliantly saved by Mark Schwartzer.
Just as Leeds looked to be getting a grip, Smith put his side back in trouble with a rash challenge on Southgate that brought a red card.
Fired up again, Boro went looking for their second and it was skipper Southgate who proved the hero.
A Geremi corner landed at the feet of the England defender and he poked the ball home with his left foot to give the home side a well-deserved point.
A frenetic match had one final twist as Franck Queudrue was red carded for a challenge on Bowyer, and the match ended with both sets of players squaring up after the final whistle.
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Parnaby, Ehiogu, Southgate, Queudrue,
Geremi, Boateng, Job, Greening, Boksic (Nemeth 61), Maccarone.
Subs Not Used: Marinelli, Crossley, Whelan, Cooper.
Sent Off: Queudrue (90).
Booked: Queudrue, Greening, Southgate.
Leeds: Robinson, Mills, Radebe, Woodgate, Lucic,
McPhail (Bakke 82), Bowyer, Barmby, Kewell, Smith,
Viduka (Bridges 82).
Subs Not Used: Martyn, Kelly, Dacourt.
Sent Off: Smith (76).
Booked: Smith, Viduka.
Attendance: 34,723
Referee: R Styles (Hampshire).