Millwall 1 Swansea 1 – Lions’ play-off dream fading fast as Swans earn a point at The Den
BY ALEX GRACE
Millwall’s Championship play-off hopes took another dent on Tuesday evening as Swansea came from behind to earn a point at The Den.
The result leaves both sides’ hopes of a top-six finish hanging by a thread.
Mason Bennett’s first Millwall goal had given the hosts a half-time lead. The Lions should have doubled their advantage in the second half but, as has been the Lions’ problem since the restart, they failed to take those chances.
They were punished as Rhian Brewster’s free kick hit the bar and deflected in off Bartosz Bialkowski.
Millwall remain without a win since the restart.
The first chance came as early as the second minute. Jed Wallace whipped in a free-kick that evaded everyone at the back post.
Shaun Hutchinson gave away a cheap free-kick six minutes in for a foul on Matt Grimes, Yan Dhanda’s free-kick was stopped by Millwall stopper Bialkowski.
Mahlon Romeo went close with a charging run forward and then shot that missed the target. Murray Wallace also sent a header wide from a Jed Wallace free-kick after 19 minutes.
The Lions took the lead in the 21st minute. Bennett started and finished the move. He received the ball from Mahlon Romeo’s tackle, found Jed Wallace who in turn charged into the box and pulled the ball back for Bennett to thump in from close range.
Swansea almost equalised on 28 minutes. A free-kick played into the box fell to Brewster, but Jake Cooper got back to clear his shot off the line.
The Lions were forced into a change at the break. Bennett looked to have injured his hip while making a challenge in the first half
Millwall should have doubled their lead at the start of the second half. The ball fell to Tom Bradshaw about 10 yards out but Ben Cabango managed to get back and deny the striker a shot on goal.
Connor Mahoney also went close charging in from the left-hand side and saw his shot deflect over the bar for a corner which came to nothing.
Swansea equalised in the 65th minute. Shaun Hutchinson fouled Conor Gallagher and Brewster stepped up and curled his effort on to the crossbar, but the ball went in off the unfortunate Bialkowski to bring the Welsh side level.
Millwall appealed for a penalty on 73 minutes, Bradshaw was released on goal and looked to have been brought down by Ben Wilmot but referee James Linington was unfazed by the Millwall appeals.
PICTURES BY KEITH GILLARD
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