Longman downs Leicester at Den

RYAN Longman was the hero of the Den as his superb long-range winner last night helped Millwall take a huge step towards safety.

Defeat left Championship leaders Leicester glancing nervously at the chasing pack with only one point separating them from Leeds and Ipswich.

The Foxes huffed and puffed but rarely looked like taking three points after Millwall forward Longman’s brilliant 59th-minute strike turned the form book on its head.

Loan

Loan star Longman (inset), who is set to return to Hull at the end of the season, was the toast of the Den as Millwall moved four points clear of danger.

Stephy Mavididi and Jamie Vardy both should have done better when played through on goal on separate occcasons.

The Foxes still took control and looked the more dangerous but Ireland striker Michael

Obafemi lifted the home crowd with a barnstorming run that had Leicester back-pedalling but a poor final ball ruined all his good work.

It took a moment of breathtaking magic to break the deadlock, after Wout Faes had coughed up possession just inside his own half.

Longman still had it all to do but stormed forward while the defence backed off, then cut inside from the left and unleashed a 30-yard rocket that flew in off the underside of the crossbar.

Obafemi could have made it two only to scuff his shot when clean through.

Leicester sub Abdul Fatawu wasted a great chance to equalise when he headed a Wilfred Ndidi cross miles over.

Billy Mitchell cleared a Kelechi Iheanacho header off the line in stoppage time.