Hull and Millwall battled out a tense goalless draw in Friday's Sky Bet Championship playoff semifinal first leg.

This year's EFL play-offs began at a packed MKM Stadium as the Tigers, considered outsiders with bookmakers to go up, hosted Alex Neil's third-placed side.

Hull have gone onto win promotion in their two previous appearances in the Championship play-offs but were unable to make home advantage count in an edgy 0-0 draw against a Millwall side that ended on top.

Mohamed Belloumi's exquisite skill and effort just off the near post inside two minutes was the closest either side came in a first half that was intense but largely incident free.

Millwall looked the most likely to snatch a winner after the break, with Camiel Neghli striking the foot of a post from distance and Femi Azeez forcing a fine save.

Ryan Leonard saw a late winner for the visitors ruled out for a foul in the build-up, setting things up nicely for Monday's second leg at the Den.

There were some ugly-looking scenes in the stands towards the end of a match that so nearly began in dream fashion for Hull, who last weekend dramatically clinched sixth spot.

Belloumi showed confidence and no little quality cutting in from the left, boldly twisting Millwall's defenders inside out with fine footwork before prodding an effort off the near post.

The lively winger saw a shot saved after Oli McBurnie nearly met a low cross and Joe Gelhardt's slip ended a threatening break, but Millwall held firm without asking serious questions of their own.

Azeez showed the odd flash but last-ditch Hull defending frustrated the well-drilled visitors, who were unable to turn 60 per cent of first-half possession into a shot on target.

Chances were still few and far between when the second half got under way.

Hull captain Lewie Coyle lasered narrowly over from 25 yards and, after some scrappy play and a poor Tristan Crama effort, Millwall hit the goal frame from distance.

Neghli was afforded too much time and space in the middle of the park and got away a low drive shot that clipped the outside of a post in the 69th minute.

Hull frontman McBurnie was proving a handful but Millwall kept him at bay and came on strong, with Azeez's fizzing shot through a crowd needed to be well-saved by Ivor Pandur.

That pressure looked to have brought a late winner for Millwall.

Leonard showed strength and heart to turn in a looping cross from close range, only for his 85th minute goal to be ruled out as Crama was adjudged to have fouled Charlie Hughes during a tussle in the build-up.

Items were thrown between both sets of supporters towards the end of a physical encounter on the pitch.