Tony Mowbray's comeback to coaching didn't go as planned as his West Brom team lost 2-0 to Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.
The 61-year-old was named as Baggies head coach again and led his first game after recovering from bowel cancer.
Mowbray was welcomed with cheers from both groups of supporters as he made his way to the sidelines before the game against Boro, a club he had played for and managed.
However, his return was overshadowed by the home team who clinched the victory thanks to Hayden Hackney's precise shot and Ben Doak's impressive goal into the top corner.
The win ended a run of three games without a win in all competitions for Michael Carrick's side, who climbed above West Brom into the play-off spots in the Sky Bet Championship.
The away team kept the same line-up, while Boro made two changes with Aidan Morris and Luke Ayling starting in place of Dan Barlaser and George Edmundson, who was recalled by parent club Ipswich before the match.
Emmanuel Latte Lath had a good opportunity early on but his shot was blocked by Alex Palmer, and a threatening Boro attack saw skipper Ayling deliver a dangerous cross that was cleared by Darnell Furlong.
Boro continued to press from the right, with Hackney crossing to Latte Lath who missed the target with his effort.
West Brom had a great chance as Karlan Grant sent a cross towards the back post and Tom Fellows scuffed his shot wide.
Hackney opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a low strike from 25 yards out that found the bottom corner.
The hosts pushed for another goal before half-time as Finn Azaz's shot was saved by Palmer, and Latte Lath missed a chance before heading wide minutes later.
West Brom tried to threaten around the Boro box before and after halftime, with Mikey Johnston missing the target with a shot in the 52nd minute.
Johnston set up Mason Holgate for a header that was saved by Tom Glover, who also denied Fellows at the near post soon after.
Boro had their own chances, with Ayling sending in dangerous crosses and Hackney trying to replicate his first-half goal.
But it was Doak who doubled the lead in the 83rd minute with a curling shot from outside the box that found the top corner.
West Brom almost pulled one back in stoppage time, but John Swift's free-kick went wide.