COMEBACK KID INSPIRES LIONS
RETURNING Millwall hitman Steve Morison grabbed the equaliser and then won the penalty converted by strike partner Lee Gregory to seal an opening-day win for the Lions.
Morison, who headed back to The Den from Leeds earlier this week, wasted no time to make an impact for the Londoners as they came from behind to win at Shrewsbury after trailing to a sharp finish from James Collins early in the second half.
While Millwall were sliding to relegation from the Championship last season, Shrewsbury were enjoying promotion from League Two, but this was to be Millwall's day as they claimed maximum points.
Happy Lions boss Neil Harris said: “I was absolutely delighted with the performance. Other than a spell after half-time leading up to their goal, I thought we dominated and managed the game really well.
“As a unit, we're disappointed we didn't come in leading at halftime. We didn't start the second half particularly well and went a goal behind from an extremely well worked goal by them.
“It was obviously disappointing for us to concede, but the reaction from the players and the performance after that was outstanding and that's a benchmark for the season, not just that 15 minutes after conceding but the whole performance.”
Shrewsbury matched Millwall for long stages and Harris admitted he expected a tricky afternoon in Shropshire.
“I know what a good side Micky Mellon's got here,” he said. "I think it was plain to see.”
Millwall created the clearer chances in the first half, with Shrewsbury goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler needing to be alert to push away a Shaun Williams longrange piledriver and turn a low drive from the dangerous Fred Onyedinma round a post.
Then when Leutwiler was beaten by a looping header from Mark Beevers, Abu Ogogo rescued Shrewsbury with a goalline clearance.
Tyrone Barnett and Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro headed chances off target for the home side before they broke the deadlock in the 55th minute.
A neat free-kick saw Martin Woods and Ryan Woods combine before Akpa Akpro drove across goal and Collins converted from a narrow angle.
Millwall needed a quick response and that's just what they got as within four minutes they were level. Onyedinma's trickery saw him break into the box and cross for Morison to tap home.
Millwall swiftly completed the turnaround in the 67th minute when Morison was caught by Mat Sadler's challenge and Gregory kept his cool to rifle the winner from the spot.
“I think it was a very tight game, I don't think there was any doubt about that,” said Shrewsbury manager Micky Mellon. “We got in at half time and said it was going to be about who would blink first. “The disappointing thing for us is when we got that goal to go in front I think Millwall reacted better to us scoring.”