Millwall boss Neil Harris on 1-1 draw at Blackburn – pleased at points return from first three matches

Millwall head coach Neil Harris felt his side were “worthy” of their 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers.

The Lions took the lead early in the second half with substitute Michael Obafemi firing them in front. It was the Burnley loanee’s first goal in more than a year.

But Blackburn hit back as they pounced on a defensive mistake. Danny McNamara’s pass to Ryan Leonard lacked enough power and Sammie Szmodics produced an excellent first-time finish from Arnor Sigurdsson’s pass.

“Worthy of a point, I’m not sure we did enough to win the game,” said Harris, who had won his first two games after replacing Joe Edwards last month. “But once you get your noses in front in a really scrappy game at this stage of the season then you need to see the game out.

“To concede the goal in the manner that we did was really disappointing. I don’t have a blame culture in my changing room, so it is a collective – we are disappointed with the goal as a group.

“Dan will be fine. Dan is disappointed. He is a man, he is leader and he put his hand up and took responsibility – but there were various moments leading up to the goal that we could do better. We gave the ball away too cheaply tonight and at times didn’t get punished.

“We as a group have to be better with the ball and not turn it over too easily. Danny is a strong character – he will be fine.

“Ultimately it is a point gained for us. It is seven points from three games and we’re delighted with that return. The glass is definitely half full with that.

“Without the ball then yes (it was a Millwall-type performance). I think John (Eustace) will be the third manager to say to me: ‘I didn’t enjoy playing against your team tonight’ – which is a credit to us as a group.

“We have to be difficult and horrible to play against – hard to break down. But what we have to do is be slightly better with the ball. Ultimately we turned the ball over too cheaply tonight at times and that led to the goal. At this level if you keep turning the ball over you’re going to get punished.

“My players gave everything – that’s the main thing.”

Obafemi replaced Aidomo Emakhu at the start of the second period. Emakhu struggled to impact the match in either a wide right or central role in the opening 45 minutes.

“I’m delighted for him (Obafemi) and to have a number nine to score,” said Harris, who is without Kevin Nisbet and Tom Bradshaw due to injury. “Mike couldn’t start tonight. Physically he wasn’t ready to go again off the back of 70 minutes at the weekend.

“We’ve got to be careful with Mike – he is our only fit striker. And he has come back from a longer injury. I’m really pleased with his performance but also where he is physically and mentally at the moment. That will do him the world of good to get off the mark.”