“Our effort was monumental” – Gary Rowett praises Millwall’s desire as they earn impressive win at Huddersfield

Gary Rowett hailed the workrate and desire of his Millwall side in tonight’s 1-0 victory at Huddersfield Town.

Former Terriers defender Scott Malone fired the South Londoners ahead after just four minutes.

And Town’s best chance of a leveller came shortly after that with Fraizer Campbell clipping the top of the bar from the penalty spot.

Rowett said: “Huddersfield’s home form is fantastic and they have really unpredictable patterns of play – they drag you out into areas you don’t want to be in – you have to get your press so right and your defensive shape so right. We got it spot on.

“We did it really, really well. I made a couple of gambles with the formation. I played Ryan Leonard at right centre-half. He might only have played there once in his career. He was excellent. I just needed a bit more pace in those areas. We brought Thommo in, again to give us a little bit of bite in midfield.

“At one point I felt we maybe were going to lack the options to see the game out and win it, but the determination of the players was fabulous. We scored a very, very good goal.

“It was well-worked and a brilliant, brilliant finish by Scottie Malone. I asked when he played here if he had scored here and he said no, so I’m glad he did today!

“At that point you say: ‘Are we going to get it right defensively and on the transitions?’ We had some really good moments and broke into some very, very good areas but lacked that last little touch or pass. The one time we didn’t get it right was for the penalty. We jump out a little too early – Danny McNamara. The lad plays around him. Now we’re in trouble and now the space is open. Thommo just lets O’Brien run off him and gets the wrong side. When you watch the penalty back I think it’s a little bit soft but I can understand why the ref has given it. I’ve got no complaints.

“At that point you feel all your hard work has gone begging. To get that little bit of good fortune with the pen and then they had one shot on target all game. Our discipline was superb and our effort was monumental – we deserved to win the game.”