Two second-half Tom Elliott headers saw Millwall dump Stevenage out of the Carabao Cup at The Den.

Boro got a great win at this stage of the League Cup last year when they beat Ipswich Town, but despite a promising performance there was to be no repeat.

Elliott, who joined the Lions in the summer from AFC Wimbledon, put the Championship side ahead nine minutes into the second period, connecting with a Fred Onyedinma cross, and his second came 13 minutes later, Shane Ferguson supplying the cross this time.

It was a much more improved showing from the hosts and it needed to be after Boro caused them no end of problems in the first period.

Millwall boss Neil Harris said: “We just didn’t really play with too much freedom in the first half, we didn’t take care of the ball, we were too rigid.

“We gave it away far too easily and we were far too predictable in our play. Don’t get me wrong, I thought Stevenage were excellent in the first half. They pressed us well and were really aggressive, they don’t half work hard.

“I was really impressed with them.

“I just said to the guys trust yourselves on the ball, trust your mate on the ball and play with a little bit more freedom.

“I thought second half, though not all the time, we were really good.”

Stevenage’s work rate in the first half was led by Tom Pett, Mark McKee and Dale Gorman in the midfield and they had the clearest chance of the evening on 30 minutes.

It fell to Chris Whelpdale who got on the end of an Alex Samuel cross but could only fire his effort straight at Tom King, who then denied Matt Godden with the rebound.

Fraser Franks and Samuel also had efforts blocked although Joe Fryer needed to be at his best to stop a Jake Cooper header at the other end.

Danny Newton and Blair Turgott both came on in the second half, as did Jonathan Smith for his Boro debut.

And the three helped Stevenage launch a late charge, Newton having their best opportunity.

But it was not to be and despite two impressive efforts from the new-look squad, Boro will head to Colchester United on Saturday still looking for their first win of the season.