Millwall 1 Cardiff City 1 – Lions have chances to win Den contest but fail to take them

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Millwall were left to rue missed chances at key moments as they drew 1-1 with Cardiff City.

The Lions went ahead in the 35th minute as Matt Smith headed home his first Championship goal of the season.

But Kieffer Moore punished a misplaced Scott Malone pass – Josh Murphy sliding the Wales international through to score against a club who also bid for his services when he left Wigan Athletic.

But the South Londoners had spurned a couple of big opportunities. Ben Thompson headed over from close range – which would have put Millwall 2-0 up – and then substitute Jon Dadi Bodvarsson was put clean through but could not even hit the target.

Millwall have drawn six matches in the 2020-21 campaign – four of those at The Den – but have not won since the end of October.

Lions keeper Bartosz Bialkowski made a couple of vital saves in the closing stages – denying Harry Wilson from close range and also tipping away a Moore header.

The first half lacked drama but Smith got his third goal of the season as he beat Curtis Nelson to Shaun Williams’ cross with Alex Smithies coming off his line but getting nowhere near claiming it.

Thompson, playing the number 10 role, could have extended their lead but could not keep his header down from a Jed Wallace cross.

The same player sent a right-footed show narrowly wide of the upright.

Millwall had looked largely comfortable until they conceded. Malone’s crossfield ball was easily picked off and Moore beat Jake Cooper in a foot race to finish inside the box.

Bialkowski twice denied City after that before Bodvarsson had a glorious chance as he raced on to Ryan Woods’ perfectly-weighted pass – fellow sub Troy Parrott showing awareness to leave the ball as he was in an offside position – his finish leaving manager Gary Rowett holding his head in disbelief.

Murray Wallace headed off his own line in the closing stages as the two clubs drew for the sixth successive meeting.