LIONS PUT BLADES TO THE SWORD
MILLWALL chief Neil Harris saluted his team of ‘warriors’ after they sealed a battling win at Bramall Lane.
Aiden O’Brien’s brace sandwiched Jose Baxter’s effort to secure a fourth win on the road for Harris’ troops this term.
The Lions boss waxed lyrical afterwards over his players’ commitment to the cause.
“I think everybody now knows what they’re going to get from a Millwall team,” said Harris.
“We weren’t at our best but without the ball our shape was really good.
“We were organised and battled and the boys were a team of warriors out there.
“I said to the boys beforehand that good Millwall teams with spirit, determination and desire, come to places like this and win. I said to the boys that was the challenge.
“I think we could have done better but I’m delighted with the win. I thought from number one to 11 we were outstanding.”
The hosts created the first real chance inside ten minutes when Che Adams struck the outside of a post after being slipped through smartly by strike partner Billy Sharp.
Moments later Chris Basham looked destined to score when Jamal Campbell-Ryce teed him up inside the six-yard box, but a brave block denied the midfielder.
Despite the hosts playing the more cohesive football in the early throes, they were caught with a sucker punch on the half-hour mark.
O’Brien slipped away from his marker and got on the end of Shaun Cummings’ cross to nod the ball into the Blades’ top-left corner.
George Saville then saw a curling effort kept out by Mark Howard as the Lions looked for a quick-fire second.
Fred Onyedinma tried his luck after the restart but his effort, after dashing from one box to another, was kept out by Howard.
In search of the equaliser, United manager Nigel Adkins had thrown on Baxter at half-time and the midfielder eventually made the difference on 72 minutes.
Baxter, who added immediate bite and tenacity to the attack, drilled home inside the box after Kieron Freeman delivered a wicked ball into the area.
Just when United appeared to be in the ascendancy, the visitors nabbed a second goal against the run of play.
Some questionable Blades defending allowed Shane Ferguson to pick out O’Brien who bundled home to secure the three points.
And Adkins revealed he was disappointed with the officials’ performance.
“The result has gone against us but I thought in the lead-up to their first goal, there were two clear fouls,” he said. “I thought we were in the ascendancy after changing it around and for me there was only going to be one winner.
“I’m never one to have a go at referees, but I was very disappointed with some of the decisions.
“You cannot legislate for things that go against you at times.
“I was very disappointed in his (Andy Haines’) performance.
“But, we were in a great position and we’ve not picked up the three points we were after.”