Millwall boss Gary Rowett not ready to give up on Championship play-off hopes yet

Gary Rowett is not ready to concede that Millwall’s play-off hopes are over despite today’s 2-0 home reverse to Middlesbrough.

The Lions boss was left deeply unhappy that Britt Assombalonga’s 68th-minute goal was allowed to stand – insistent that Jake Cooper was tripped by Ashley Fletcher in the build-up.

Millwall are five points behind sixth-placed Cardiff City with four fixtures left to play and head to Hull City next.

“To try and chase that play-off spot you certainly have got to play better than that and have got to show more incisiveness,” said Rowett. “We got into good areas but we didn’t make enough of it.

“A draw didn’t help us, I think it made no difference. We have got to win two more games than other teams. I’d rather lose the game trying to win it. We’re still in the mix but running out of games. If we play like that [today] we won’t get there anyway.

“But Derby play West Brom and have got Cardiff next week, Cardiff have got Fulham and then have got Derby. So there are some big games up there. We go to Hull and we have to go and put in a better performance.

“They are fighting and scrapping and I’m sure they’ll do exactly the same [as Cardiff]. It wouldn’t surprise me if they watched today’s game and go exactly the same way – try and counter-attack us. So we’ve got to find better solutions.

“We’ll see, there’s no disgrace that we’re not quite managing to do the next bit. But it’s frustrating nonetheless because we’ve got into a good position and I just need a bit more from the players today to take that extra step.”

Millwall have not won at home since mid-January, losing three and drawing four.

“We haven’t won enough games that have been quite tight – that’s been our problem,” said Rowett. “If you see how many draws we’ve had – we’ve not lost many games.

“If you turn some of those draws into wins, it’s having some more quality at the top end of the pitch or a couple more options to throw on.

“We had two or three players missing and we were huffing and puffing to score a goal without having good enough moments to do that.”