Davis left fuming by ‘ghost’ penalty
CREWE boss Steve Davis slammed the referee for “inventing” a penalty that almost cost his relegation-threatened side a point at The Den.
Christopher Kavanagh awarded three spot-kicks in the second half, with Brad Inman putting Crewe ahead before Lee Gregory equalised for Millwall and then missed from 12 yards in the dying minutes.
Davis felt that, had it not been for Kavanagh’s interventions, his side could be better off than six points from safety.
“We deserved a point at least. It could have been a lot worse with the two decisions the referee has given against us,” he said.
“We weren’t given an opportunity to defend our lead because of the decision, which is disappointing.
“I’ve watched it back and there is nothing there for their first penalty. I don’t know what he’s invented, but he’s seen something that nobody else has. The second one wasn’t a handball either.
“I wasn’t sure ours was a penalty. It might have been outside [the area], but the ball went a long way so it wasn’t a red card. That’s probably the only decision I was happy with.”
Ben Garratt was the star of the first half as the Crewe keeper frustrated Millwall, most notably Aiden O’Brien and Gregory. George Cooper found space on the edge of the area for Crewe, but curled an effort just past the post. Lions keeper Jordan Archer then made an excellent save when James Jones fired in from the edge of the area. And Gregory broke clear and drilled a ball in, but Jed Wallace put it over at the back post.
Wallace blasted over after showing neat footwork inside a crowded area before the penalties arrived.
Cooper was brought down by Archer, though there appeared to be minimal contact, and five minutes later Millwall defender Byron Webster was adjudged to have been fouled before the third penalty was awarded, for a debatable handball.
Millwall boss Neil Harris was left to rue Gregory hitting the post with his second penalty. “I am frustrated because when you get a penalty with a couple of minutes to go, you fancy him to put it in,” he said.
“We’re definitely disappointed not to win, but it could be a good point gained.
“The calmness of Lee to equalise was impressive. It’s just a shame that the second one didn’t go in. He feels like he’s let the boys down, but that isn’t the case.
“At key moments, we didn’t have that quality in the final third.
“Our first penalty looked like a push in the back. I couldn't see the second one.”