Swans make their point, but will it be enough in the play-off scramble?
SWANSEA City kept their increasingly faint play-off hopes alive as a Bartosz Bialkowski own goal ensured they earned a share of the spoils in their Championship clash with Millwall at The Den.
The visitors went behind to a Mason Bennett goal in the first half, despite seeing more of the ball and creating some decent openings.
But they earned what could yet be a valuable point as Rhian Brewster’s second half free kick went in off the back of Millwall goalkeeper Bialkoswki, although it will probably feel as more of a missed opportunity for the Jack Army.
After Saturday’s horror show against Luton, Steve Cooper made three changes to his side for the game in the English capital.
Kyle Naughton, George Byers and Yan Dhanda all started, with Connor Roberts, Jay Fulton and Aldo Kalulu dropping to the bench.
Bersant Celina – who was omitted from the squad in the loss to the Hatters – and Liam Cullen were named among the substitutes, although Joe Rodon once again missed out, this time with an ankle problem.
Just one point separated the sides before kick-off, and, in truth, both needed to secure a win to keep their play-off hopes alive.
And it was Swansea who controlled possession early on, with Millwall captain Shaun Hutchinson being booked after just six minutes for tripping Brewster after the Liverpool loanee had raced through on goal.
Swansea had clearly upped the tempo after a sluggish start last time out. Dhanda tested Bialkoswki with a free-kick before Conor Gallagher saw his driven effort blocked by onetime Swansea target Ryan Woods.
But just as things appeared to look encouraging for the away side, Matt Grimes lost possession which gave Millwall the chance to break, and Jed Wallace picked out Bennett who lashed home the opener from around 10 yards out.
Swansea came from behind to beat the Lions at The Den last season. And they should have levelled just five minutes after going behind this time around as Ben Wilmot headed Grimes’ free-kick back across goal, but Brewster’s poor contact with the ball allowed Jake Cooper to make a fine clearance off his own line.
Despite seeing Swansea dominate the ball, Gary Rowett’s men remained threatening when pressing forward with numbers, and they took a slender one-goal advantage into the break.
Gallagher tried his luck with an effort from distance minutes after the restart, although it was simple enough for Bialkoswki to parry wide.
Andre Ayew had to be alert to deny Wales international Tom Bradshaw at the other end before Naughton blocked an effort from substitute Connor Mahoney as Millwall applied some pressure.
Cooper sent on Celina for the final 30 minutes, with Dhanda making way. The Kosovan was immediately involved and had a shot blocked shortly after a swift attack ended with him unable to pick out Gallagher.
And the visitors levelled on 66 minutes as Brewster’s free-kick rattled the crossbar before going in off the back of Bialkowski after Gallagher had been fouled by Hutchinson.
But Murray Wallace should have put the Lions back ahead nine minutes later, although his header from Jed Wallace’s corner went wide.
Murray Wallace almost won it for the Lions three minutes from time, although his header hit the post as both sides had to settle for a point, which in the grand scheme of things does little for either team’s aspira