KARL NOT HAPPY AS THE LIONS ESCAPE...
Hosts see two goals ruled out
KARL Robinson couldn’t hide his frustration after his side were denied a first win over Millwall in 21 years by injuries and a contentious disallowed goal.
Charlton lost two players in the first half-hour to injuries but were undeterred, debutant Nathan Byrne twice forcing a good save from Jordan Archer.
The Addicks thought they were ahead twice after the break, but they and Patrick Bauer were denied on both occasions with the officials deeming there to be fouls in the build-up – the second after Archer appeared to spill the ball.
Lee Gregory’s glancing header went inches wide late on, but a point apiece was ultimately a fair result.
Robinson played Bauer’s second disallowed goal on a laptop before taking questions, saying: “I can’t say anything about it because I’ll get fined, but you can write what you need to write.
“I thought we were the better team. The problem with Millwall is, when you’re on top, with Gregory and Steve Morison, you’re always suspect and that’s the fear for us.
“It happened at The Den when we were probably the better team, we got carried away and they hit us on the counter-attack.
“Last five minutes, my boys were dead on their feet because I couldn’t make any more substitutions. I can’t blame my players for that, it’s because we had two unfortunate injuries. That changed the game, but it didn’t change our mentality or desire.”
The Lions nearly led after eight minutes as Gregory easily outmuscled Bauer but chipped wide.
Josh Magennis was stretchered off on 13 minutes before Byrne went close on 20 minutes, his 25yard shot bouncing awkwardly in front of Archer.
Millwall should have scored on 25 minutes when Shaun Williams’ free-kick found Byron Webster in acres of space, but his header was comfortably saved by Declan Rudd.
Charlton were forced to swap one debutant for another on 28 minutes, Jay Dasilva coming on for the injured Lewis Page.
Byrne went close again on 34 minutes, showing great technique
to hit a difficult volley, but Archer was equal to it.
Charlton thought they were ahead when Joe Aribo’s free-kick was bundled home on 50 minutes by Bauer, but it was disallowed for a foul in the build-up.
But The Valley was truly indignant on 58 minutes when Bauer fired in again, before the goal was ruled out by the linesman, who seemingly felt the ball had been knocked out of Archer’s hand.
Substitute Shane Ferguson made a quick impression, rifling a half-volley narrowly wide on 72 minutes just before Millwall had two chances in the 75th minute.
A dangerous cross fell to Steve Morison whose scuffed effort still needed Jorge Teixeira to hack off the line, before the striker delivered a perfect cross for Shaun Hutchinson, his glancing header just eluding the far post.
Gregory had the clearest chance of the match on 86 minutes, meeting Williams’ corner in space at the front post, but he sent his header spinning wide.
There was an ugly finish to proceedings when Teixeira received a second yellow card after the final whistle for throwing the ball at Morison.
Millwall boss Neil Harris said: “I thought the game was quite even, I don’t think either team played particularly well. There was certainly a local derby feel to it, 100 miles an hour, lack of quality at times.
“I’m delighted with four points against Charlton this year, our fans will be delighted with bragging rights over the local rivals, but disappointed with the fact we didn’t win the game.’
On the second disallowed goal, Harris added: “Ten years ago, it’s a good goal. I was a striker, so I think if the goalkeeper’s letting the ball go you should be able to challenge.”