A Harris ‘volley’ then Lions strike
TOM BRADSHAW earned a point for Millwall after his boss saw red following a touchline bust-up.
Lions manager Neil Harris clashed with Boro coach Leo Percovich just before the break.
The pair came together as Harris tried to get the ball from the Uruguayan at a throw-in.
Referee John Brooks spoke to fourth official Graham Salisbury before showing Harris a red card and the Lions’ manager fired a verbal volley at Percovich.
But Harris, who was defended by Boro boss Jonathan Woodgate, insisted there was no bad blood.
Harris said: “I don’t think there’s a problem between me and his staff.
“What I will say is, I went into their technical area and that’s a no-no – so apologies to Jonathan.
“We were so dominant in the first half that I was trying to get on with the game. He (Percovich) had the ball under his arm and I sort of wanted to hit it out of his arm – it wasn’t aimed at the coaching staff, but he moved and I hit his arm.
“I was a bit surprised I was sent to the stand. There’s never been an issue with us and Middlesbrough’s staff.’’
Woodgate said: “I don’t want to see Neil sent off, I didn’t think he deserved that.
“He’s a fantastic guy and a top manager and I think the referee can deal with that better. I think he smashed the ball out of Leo’s hands. I don’t think that’s a red card.’’
Both managers thought they should have had two “blatant’’ penalties apiece, and Woodgate added: “It’s really frustrating. I thought the second half was a different performance to the first, when I thought they were on top.’’
Harris had to watch from the stand as his side came from behind. Boro midfielder Paddy Mcnair scored in the 70th minute – his first goal since a £5million move from Sunderland in June 2018 – but substitute Bradshaw levelled six minutes later, moments after coming on.
Boro keeper Darren Randolph produced a terrific 19th-minute save, tipping over Ben Thompson’s blistering blast.
Matt Smith should have capitalised four minutes into the second half after Randolph’s poor clearance – but fired straight back at the keeper.
Mcnair struck when he latched on to Ashley Fletcher’s through ball to slide home, but after Ryan Leonard delivered a rightwing corner, Bradshaw touched in from Smith’s knockdown. MIDDLESBRO MILLWALL 2 ........ Shots on Target ......... 4 4 ........ Shots off Target ......... 4 6 ................Corners ................. 7 13 ................. Fouls ................... 10 1 ................ Offsides ................. 0 80 ..... Passing Success%.... 67.4 431 ....... Total Passes ........285 59.6..... Possession% ...... 40.4 49.3 . Territorial Adv%....50.7