Millwall boss Neil Harris gives his verdict on Ryan Leonard red card and disappointment at display when Lions had 11 men on pitch

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Neil Harris said he had no complaints over referee Scott Duncan’s decision to send off Ryan Leonard in Millwall’s 2-0 defeat to Birmingham City tonight.

The midfielder saw red for two cautionable offences inside the opening half hour.

The Lions already trailed to a James Meredith own goal and Michael Morrison got a second with 14 minutes remaining.

Harris said: “Probably like most people I thought the first [tackle] is a yellow card, isn’t it? The second I thought Lenny got the ball but it’s probably the follow through which has done him.

“The modern game, you go into a challenge like that – you put yourself in danger of a card. So without seeing it on TV from a couple of angles, as I sit here now I’ve no real complaints.”

The Lions pushed forward in search of an equaliser in the second half but their exertions failed to yield a goal for the first time in a home Championship game this season.

“Eleven v eleven, Birmingham were better than us,” said Harris. “It pains me to say it but they were better at the basics in football which I demand but take for granted from my side.

“With the 10 men, we had a right go. And don’t get me wrong, a right go – for this club – is the bare minimum. The players showed character, desire, some quality as well at times.

“We could have been better with our decision-making, of course. But 10 against 11 at Championship level, we were the better side for long periods.

“The second goal was the killer really. It probably knocked the stuffing and belief out of us, because while it was 1-0 and we were probably slightly on top, yes we were slightly open to the counter attack, I always thought a chance would come our way.”