Championship final day agony for Millwall as they miss out on Championship play-off spot

Millwall have missed out on a Championship play-off place after a 4-3 defeat to Blackburn Rovers today.

The Lions looked to be heading for the end-of-season knockouts as they lead 3-1 at half-time through a Duncan Watmore double and Oliver Burke’s goal.

But Blackburn, who knew they had to win to stand any chance of a play-off place themselves, fought back in the second period with Ben Brereton Diaz scoring twice – including the crucial fourth for the hosts that left Millwall needing to score twice in the closing stages.

Sunderland’s 3-0 win over Preston North End ensured they took the sixth play-off spot.

Millwall dropped to eighth in the final standings with their opponents also leapfrogging them.

The Lions were in a glorious position to cement a play-off place in England’s second tier for the first time in 21 years but Brereton Diaz, out of contract this summer, delivered one final big performance.

It was also his free-kick which George Long could only parry and Joe Rankin-Costello converted early in the second half to cut the deficit to 3-2.

And the Chilean international also struck the right post, Tyrhys Dolan putting the rebound across the face of goal, with a header also cleared off the line by Scott Malone.

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD