City’s efforts go unrewarded after Murray penalty wins it for Millwall
BRISTOL City’s five-game run without defeat in the Championship came to a halt at Millwall last night.
Without manager Nigel Pearson on the sidelines following the announcement that he had a positive Covid-19 test at the weekend, Curtis Fleming stepped into the breach but his team were unable to break down the stubborn Londoners’ defence, despite several good openings.
Two changes were made from the weekend as Joe Williams and Nathan Baker came into the side, to stiffen up for the trip to south-east London, but despite a good showing in the capital there was no reward to take back down the M4.
City were looking to make it four wins in a row on the road after returning to the good form shown by Lee Johnson’s sides away from home, while still unable to get that elusive three points from Ashton Gate.
Millwall had drawn their four previous league games, and the home side belied that league form to start the game the better. Both sides lined up with three-man
defences but Millwall were able to free Murray Wallace to cross dangerously early on, with Nathan Baker cleverly using his body to stop former Robin Matt Smith converting with a header early on.
Bristol City switched tactical shape and matched up to the hosts and freed Jay Dasilva and Tyreeq Bakinson to get forward and raid at goal.
One Bakinson pass led to the best opening in the first 45 minutes as Murray Wallace misjudged the midfielder’s long ball forward and Andi Weimann scampered in on goal but was unable to beat Bartosz
Bialkowski as the ‘keeper charged from goal.
After half-an-hour City made a change as Cam Pring replaced the limping Baker and the away side were thankful to captain Dan Bentley for keeping them level.
It was a top save by Bentley, who stopped Benik Afobe, another former Robin, scoring from close range as the offside trap was sprung. What a stop by the man making his 100th appearance, across all competitions, for the club last night.
Shortly afterwards, Weimann glanced another dangerous Dasilva cross wide when it looked like he may head in for his fifth of the campaign, before City were again indebted to Bentley.
A George Evans cross from the right was met by Afobe heading powerfully at the near post but Bentley leaped across to make the save.
After the break, the Robins regrouped and were much better, forcing Millwall back and setting up Chris Martin to go through on goal one on one. But the former Derby County striker dallied and the chance was gone.
Pring also headed a set-piece over the bar as City pushed to take the lead.
Instead, on came Jed Wallace for Rowett’s team to strike against the run of play. Former City player again! - George Saville released Afobe in on goal and defender Rob Atkinson mistimed his challenge to concede a penalty which Wallace made no mistake from.
Joe Williams went off with cramp after a first start of the season and substitute Kasey Palmer tried to create but the Robins were downed and unable to clamber back up off the canvas, though one Atkinson run forward almost set up a late chance and redemption. It was not to be and a first defeat in six.
Onwards and upwards but without Pearson again as a trip to Peterborough looms next.