Bod’s given Lions boost
Bodvarsson made it 2-0 to Millwall
GARY ROWETT played down his side’s play-off chances despite seeing Millwall continue their push for a top-six place.
The Lions are motoring, having lost only once in the league since November 2 and have taken 17 points from the last 24 on offer.
They had to be patient against Reading but, having been the better side in the first period, second-half goals from Matt Smith and substitute Jon Dadi Bodvarsson secured victory.
Smith opened the scoring with a powerful left-footed strike into the far corner after Reading had failed to deal with a Jed Wallace cross.
They made the game safe when Wallace raced half the length of the field before slipping in Bodvarsson who curled home with virtually his first touch just moments after stepping off the bench.
“We navigated the game really well,” said Rowett.
“Our persistence, energy and determination opened the game up for us.
“We created an awful lot of chances. It was a true
MILLWALL team performance and a thoroughly deserved win.
“If we had won by three or four, I don’t think anyone could be too critical.”
The match was temporarily halted in the first half when referee
Keith Stroud spoke to both managers. It prompted an anti-homophobia announcement to be made over the PA system at the start of the second half.
Rowett said: “The linesman heard a comment and he has to report it to the referee.
“The club have worked incredibly hard to make sure things like that don’t happen here. It’s certainly not something we condone, and the club will investigate.”
Reading boss Mark Bowen was angry that a handball by Connor Mahoney in the build-up to Millwall’s opener had gone unpunished.
“It staggers me that the referee hasn’t seen it,” said Bowen. “He’s literally a yard away looking straight at it.
“Four of my guys stopped – which they shouldn’t have done as you play to the whistle – the ball goes wide and we didn’t defend the cross.
“But overall we forgot to play. When we got possession, we didn’t do what we’ve been good at lately and that’s getting the ball down and playing.
“Without naming names, we’ve got talented players in our midfield and I expected us to control it there.”
READING