This tie is not over yet vows Sam
SAM BALDOCK believes injury-hit Brighton can shake off both bad luck and a two-goal deficit to reach the Championship play-off final.
The forward admitted Chris Hughton’s men had been forced to grin and bear Friday’s 2-0 defeat at Hillsborough, just as much for picking up four pivotal injury blows as the result.
Connor Goldson, Tomer Hemed, Steve Sidwell and Anthony Knockaert all failed to finish the match and are expected to miss tonight’s return leg.
Dale Stephens is still suspended after his red card in the 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough which saw the Teessiders edge out Brighton for automatic promotion.
But Baldock, above, believes Hughton’s men are bullish about their chances of reaching the final.
“We’ve had a fair amount of bad luck over the last couple of weeks and quite a lot of it in Friday’s game,” said Baldock. “If you don’t laugh, you cry, with four key players picking up injuries and going down to 10 men.
“When you look at the spells of possession they pretty much dominated the entire game. But we showed a lot of resilience.”
Andrew Crofts could be drafted into midfield and Baldock hopes Brighton can seize upon a pressure-free attitude now, with the odds stacked against them.
“We’ve nothing to lose and the pressure is completely on them,” he said. “We’re positive and we’re going to go for it. We’ve got 90 minutes for them
9I8;=FI; D@CCN8CC
MILLWALL manager Neil Harris praised his side’s character after they came from behind in the first leg of their play-off.
Tony McMahon put Bradford ahead with a penalty but Millwall responded immediately through Lee Gregory, before Steve Morison and Joe Martin made it 3-1 before the break. Harris said: “I am delighted with the boys. Character, team spirit, desire – they are key words for us.”
Bradford were awarded a penalty after 13 minutes when Martin handled. Valley Parade erupted but the home fans’ joy was short-lived. Gregory collected Morison’s header before firing home.
The Lions were ahead after 34 minutes, Morison forcing a corner and then timing his run to the near post to head home.
Millwall’s third came shortly before half-time when Martin curled home a free-kick.
Bradford manager Phil Parkinson said: “We started well but conceded two soft goals from set plays. We lost our way in that period.” to come to the Amex with a full stadium, with screaming fans egging us on.
“Stranger things have happened. I came off the pitch thinking, come on, bring on Monday. Believe me, this tie is not over.”
Whoever wins is likely to face Hull in the final on May 28 after their 3-0 first-leg drubbing of Derby.
Hull host the return leg tomorrow but defender Moses Odubajo, scorer on Saturday along with Abel Hernandez and Andy Robertson, is taking nothing for granted.
“You can never think we’re nearly there, honestly,” said Odubajo. “A couple of years back we were 2-0 up in the final when I was playing for Orient against Rotherham, we conceded two and lost on pens.
“It hurt a lot. It was a painful experience which I wouldn’t wish on anybody.
“Then last year we snuck in when Derby failed to get in on the last day. We were delighted like now, we’d only just come up from League One and were favourites to get relegated.
“We proved everyone wrong. But we lost to Boro twice, they were more professional and experienced.
“Now, everyone wants to go up – even Derby will still believe. So we have to prepare properly and not get carried away.”
GCPDFLK? GFIKJDFLK?
GCPDFLK? N@E *$) FE 8>> PETER Hartley bundled home a stoppage-time header that sent Plymouth to Wembley and left Portsmouth suffering play-off heartache.
The defender rose to meet Graham Carey’s corner and the ball deflected off his shoulder, on to his head and into the back of the net.
The jubilant Plymouth players leapt into the crowd as Home Park erupted as they celebrated their first trip to Wembley since 1996.
Derek Adams’ side will now face either Accrington or Wimbledon in the League Two play-off final on May 30.
Hartley said: “I can’t put the goal into words. I remember connecting with the ball and then I woke up and some guy was kissing me on the face.
“We deserved that bit of luck. Wimbledon and Accrington won’t fancy playing us.”
Portsmouth manager Paul Cook said: “We have had 46 games together and it is heartbreaking for us and our magnificent fans. We have had a bad day today.”