Millwall head coach Edwards: We’re gutted at Huddersfield’s late leveller – it feels like a defeat

Joe Edwards described Millwall’s players and staff as “gutted” as they saw a Championship win evade them at the death in today’s clash with Huddersfield Town.

The Lions looked set to record their first home league win since September 20 after Brooke Norton-Cuffy had put them ahead in the 57th minute.

But now they will have to wait until Boxing Day to scratch that particular itch after Delano Burgzorg’s late penalty left head coach Edwards still waiting for a Den victory since he replaced Gary Rowett.

George Saville was ruled to have handled Josh Koroma’s shot and referee Darren Bond was quick to point to the spot.

“We’re gutted with the finish to the game,” said Edwards. “It is one of those that feels like a defeat.

“We knew the importance of today’s game, without overplaying it. When you are in a bad run, like we are, we’ve had tough fixtures, so when you get a fixture against a team below you in the table then it is one where you really want to go out to win it.

“We had every intention of doing that. We knew with the run and form that we’ve been in that it wouldn’t necessarily be the most attractive performance and it didn’t need to be – it was more about spirit and getting the job done.

“The game played out like that. The first half was edgy and there wasn’t much in it. We didn’t play well but came in at half-time agreeing that it was it was going to be – could we up it and go again? I think we did. To be fair the lads came out in the second half and were better. We were a bit sharper and we get the goal.

“As with us at the moment, it seems to be a recurring them, if we do get the first breakthrough it then lifts confidence a bit. We look better after the goal – a bit more belief in what we’re doing with our passing and when we’re breaking around them. It looked like we could’ve got the second.

“But whenever that scoreline is 1-0 you are at risk – particularly when you’re in a run like we’re in. To lose it like that with probably an unnecessary setpiece down in the corner and then a deflection on to someone’s hand it feels like that is how things are going for us at the moment, without feeling too sorry for ourselves.

“We have conceded goals at Ipswich and Leicester where we have six bodies in front of the ball and it has deflected or going through into our net.

“The ball goes into our box and that (the penalty) happens – it’s incredibly frustrating. In what was a poor game I felt we were the better team that looked like the home team trying to win it. We deserved to, in general, and it feels like two points dropped.”

Both Edwards’ assistant Andy Myers and Joe Bryan went to console Saville, down on his haunches, after the full-time whistle.

“I can see why it has been given,” said Edwards. “We don’t have VAR but if we did it probably still would.

“I haven’t spoken to Sav. Whether Sav would deliberately intend to save the ball with his hand, I don’t know. But the hand is in a position and it hits it. It’s probably one of those reflex ones. When it happens so quick, Sav has not made a decision to do it.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD