Millwall 0 Blackburn Rovers 2 – Dack and Gallagher on target as Lions fail to impress

Millwall fell to a comprehensive 2-0 defeat at the hands of Blackburn Rovers at the Den.

The Lions failed to build on their midweek victory against Preston in Bermondsey – and they could have few complaints about the result following a thoroughly disappointing performance.

Blackburn found their breakthrough in the 18th minute.

Bradley Dack is no stranger to popping up with a goal against the Lions, and the former Gillingham man struck again from the edge of the box after twisting away from George Evans. His effort took a big deflection off Shaun Hutchinson to give Bart Bialkowski no chance.

It should have been worse on the half hour mark, as Ryan Woods’ attempt to spin his man on the edge of the box resulted in Tyrhys Dolan springing free down the left-hand side. Only an excellent intervention from Jake Cooper prevented the visitors from doubling their advantage.

Gary Rowett shuffled his pack shortly after the break, introducing Matt Smith from the bench.

He should have had Millwall level just two minutes after coming on to the pitch, but he failed to find the target from Scott Malone’s floated cross.

Malone finally registered a shot on target for Millwall in the 65th minute, but his 20-yard free-kick was tame.

The Lions survived a penalty scare shortly afterwards as Ryan Woods was involved in a tangle in the area – referee Matthew Donohue was unmoved despite some emphatic appeals from the visiting players.

If Blackburn were hard done by, their anger didn’t last long as they sealed the points just moments later.

Hutchinson and Jake Cooper combined for a couple of dreadful passes which put the hosts under pressure. The ball fell to Dolan, whose shot deflected off Cooper and into the chest of an oblivious Sam Gallagher to send the ball past Bialkowski.

Malone struck a post for Millwall in the final moments but the damage had already been done on a miserable afternoon in SE16.