LIONS LACK BITE TO DEFY MILLERS
NEIL Harris admits he came back down to earth with a bump after watching FA Cup giant killers Millwall stumble to a goalless draw at home to Rotherham United.
Just seven days after the Lions produced one of their greatest ever wins against Everton in the FA Cup fourth round, they struggled to get anything going against a Rotherham side fighting with them towards the bottom.
And it was the Millers who perhaps should have won, with Michael Smith missing two fine chances in the second half – although Harris is adamant Richard Wood should have been sent off for a tackle on Jordan Archer.
“I’ve seen it back. From what I saw it’s a horrendous challenge. The lad jumps over Shaun Williams, two-footed, to challenge Jordan Archer. Whether the ball is loose or not is irrelevant. It’s a nasty challenge,” he said.
“I think most people came to the ground expecting after the Lord Mayor’s Show. I’m sure that would have been part of Warney’s team-talk after the performance last week.”
The closest the home side came to a goal was after just 90 seconds, when Ben Marshall’s 25-yard shot clipped the top of the crossbar, while Mahlon Romeo had their only shot on target before the break, a volley from range that was straight at Marek Rodak.
Rotherham created precious little of their own before half time, but things improved for the visitors soon after the break.
First Semi Ajayi went close, firing narrowly over the crossbar when the ball dropped to him from a long throw, and then Smith seized on some hesitant Millwall defender, only to be denied by Archer when clean through on goal.
Seconds later Smith had another golden chance to put the visitors ahead – Archer flapped at a cross, the ball dropped to the striker, but his shot was blocked on the lie by Marshall.
Millwall barely mustered a shot in the second half, although Robertson very nearly headed into his own goal under very little pressure nine minutes from time, and Marshall looped a header just wide late on.
However, the hosts should have won it with the final kick, Jed Wallace racing clear and squaring for Lee Gregory, who somehow missed from six yards.
Millwall remain four points ahead of Rotherham in the table and the Yorkshire side are just a point above the drop zone.
Manager Paul Warne was satisfied with a point, saying: “I think if they hadn’t had that chance in the last few seconds I’d probably be a little bit disappointed, but I’ll be honest a draw is a fair result.
“The first half was devoid of any clear-cut chances. The second half was a lot better.
“Both teams, the players on the pitch give everything they have for both managers. On clear-cut chances we might have edged it.
“In fairness to the fans who come to support us every away game, they will probably go naked in the streets if we actually do get an away win, and nobody wants to see that, especially in this weather!”