‘I couldn’t say the performance deserves us to easily win the game’ – Millwall reaction after 2-2 draw at Luton Town

Gary Rowett reckoned Millwall should have seen the match at Luton Town out after the South Londoners scored their second goal in the 83rd minute.

Tom Bradshaw opened the scoring before Elijah Adebayo levelled. Benik Afobe restored the South London club’s lead but an unfortunate Jake Cooper own goal gave the Hatters a point with three minutes remaining.

Rowett said: “If you take the game in it’s entirety, in terms of pressure, we had the better first half. We were excellent first half, they put us under the cosh a little bit in the second half.

“I couldn’t stand here and say: ‘The performance deserved us to easily win the game’. But when you get to 86 minutes and you are a team like us, you have to see a set-piece out to probably win the game.

“Yes, we could get a bit more fortune. Cameron Jerome doesn’t head it properly, it hits Jake Cooper on the shoulder and ends up in the back of the net which seems to be a bit symptomatic of our fortune at the moment.

“At 86 minutes I expect us to win the game. At this stage of the season, with seven games left, you don’t get another bite of the cherry. That was the disappointment. It’s another good result but also a disappointing result for us – which shows the level of efforts. We have two home games now which we have to go and be positive about.

“Two very good goals. The first one was a little bit about how we set up. Luton are a side that want the ball to be in front of them. We worked very hard in turning them around and playing into space between the centre-backs and wing-backs. We kept Jed narrow so he was always there to pick loose balls up. He picked the ball up and Bradders hit the ball early which deceives the keeper. He hits it very well.

“As disappointing as the first goal was, there is a foul in the build up on Tom Bradshaw. I’d expect the referee to give that. We’ve got to then defend it better.

“We then score a very good second goal and have some good chances after that. We knew later in the game Burkey’s pace getting into those areas and it was a great cross, left foot, full speed, picks out Benik and again good scoring form and he makes it look easy.

“Disappointed to have worked so hard to get into that position. I’m not saying we threw it away because that wouldn’t be fair on Luton or our players. These moments you have to see out if you want to win games.”