KOMPANY’S FLYERS HELD IN THE DEN

WHATEVER disappointment Millwall striker Tom Bradshaw felt after being left on the substitutes’ bench following his hat-trick at the weekend was channelled into the late equaliser that earned a draw against leaders Burnley here last night. Introduced after 73 minutes with his side trailing, Bradshaw struck a low shot into the corner of the net 12 minutes later to earn Millwall a valuable point in their Championship play-off push. Vincent Kompany’s side are unbeaten in the league since November 5 and have collected 35 points from their last possible 39. The intent of home manager Gary Rowett was clear from the start, with eight Millwall players behind the ball. The home side defended so deep that any clearances they made were collected by the Burnley players camped outside the penalty area. The visitors should have taken the lead after eight minutes when Anass Zaroury drove his shot into the body of onrushing Millwall goalkeeper George Long and saw the ball squirm the wrong side of the post. Ashley Barnes and Scott Twine both shot narrowly wide with half-chances before Millwall finally began to create openings as half-time approached. Zian Flemming was central to their best attacking play.

First, he eased the ball into space only to shoot high over the bar and then drove a powerful shot straight at Burnley keeper Arijanet Muric. The Clarets had started the second half brightly and took the lead after 51 minutes. Twine’s shot was bravely blocked by Charlie Cresswell only to drop for Barnes to hook in the rebound. The visitors ought to have doubled their lead just after the hour when Josh Brownhill turned a Vitinho cross against the post.