Millwall boss impressed by his side’s composure in Hawthorns stalemate against West Bromwich Albion

Millwall manager Gary Rowett praised the composure of his players as they recorded a 0-0 draw at Championship play-off rivals West Bromwich Albion this afternoon.

The result means the Lions have now got a four-point gap over seventh-placed Norwich City and climbed to fifth in the table. Both the Canaries and Coventry City lost this afternoon and saw their hopes of making the top six made even trickier.

Lions keeper George Long did not have a shot to save – a really impressive feat considering the Baggies came into the contest with a record of 10 wins in an 11-game undefeated run at The Hawthorns.

Millwall had a strong start to the second half and Josh Griffiths turned Tom Bradshaw’s strike around the post. The number nine also headed over early on from Ryan Leonard’s long throw.

Zian Flemming had a shot pushed over the bar by Griffiths in the 72nd minute.

There were six minutes of time added on at the end – which became even more after Charlie Cresswell needed treatment after suffering facial damage in an aerial duel – but there were still not too many fraught moments as the Lions got across the finish line.

Rowett said: “We were aware of the size of the task if you look at their home games since Carlos (Corberan) has been in charge. They’ve won 10, lost one and conceded three goals – it’s an absolutely ridiculous record. We knew that if were going to get anything out of the game, we’d have to play well.

“We played well, a lot of composure. They are a team that wants to press you initially and then drop into shape, we bypassed that press, we had the composure to play around that press. Lenny and Sav showed that calmness and experience. I was really, really pleased with how we played.

“We started well in the first 15 minutes. Then they had a spell. They will always have those moments where they look bright with the likes of Jed (Wallace), (John) Swift, (Adam) Reach – just in those pockets in and around the midfield where it’s quite difficult. (Brandon-Thomas) Asante, his pace just caused us some problems.

“I can’t really remember any saves that Longy has had to make. We looked fairly comfortable. We had the better chances.

“Bradders’ (early) chance is excellent, he’s headed it on to his shoulder. Any type of contact, that’s six yards out with a free header, he’ll be really disappointed. Coops (Jake Cooper) had one similar that he just mistimed. We had a couple of other moments. Bradders nicked a goal-kick and just needed a bit of calmness and we would have turned it into a really good chance

“West Brom hadn’t played for three weeks and they have just lost O’Shea and Molumby, which maybe just loses that little bit of continuity.

“I felt there was a real opportunity to drag the game into deep water as the game went on. We are a strong team, we are a fit team and we made it difficult. As the game went on I felt we were the team more likely to pinch something. I don’t think either manager could nessecerally complain about a point.

“I think we will certainly be more pleased with the result and the performance.”