Murray Wallace on his FA Cup winner for Millwall – and why the Lions never lost belief in fourth round tie

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Murray Wallace admitted that his FA Cup winner for Millwall ranks as one of the best moments of his career.

The summer signing from Scunthorpe United scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time to dump Everton out of the competition and send the Lions into the fifth round.

Wallace’s previous goals for the South Londoners came in defeats to Reading and Swansea City.

Asked if slotting home a last-gasp decider was the best moment he had enjoyed, the Scottish defender said: “Yeah, it’s definitely got to be up there. 

“It was just going in my head that I can’t miss after the chance I had previously which I just smashed. I thought I’d try to hit it with composure and slot it in.

“A few of the lads were saying they just wanted me to hit it first time, because they obviously thought someone is going to be sliding in and tackling me – but it didn’t work like that.

“Scoring the winner against a Premier League team, I’m absolutely buzzing. My emotions just took over – I started screaming and stuff.

“I can’t really remember much else, apart from that.

“It was the best atmosphere we’ve had all season.”

Millwall twice came from behind at The Den.

And Wallace says that belief never wavered.

“We’ve got that sort of character in the team throughout the season,” he said.

“We’ve suffered a few setbacks in games and responded quite well. We always knew we could get a result.”

“It’s tough stepping back up to the Championship – the players’ quality is obviously a lot better. I’m enjoying every minute, trying to break into the team and stay in there.”

One of the biggest talking points post-match was Jake Cooper handling the ball to make it 2-2.

It was Wallace’s shot which clipped off Toffees keeper Jordan Pickford and in off the left arm of the big centre-back.

“I thought they [Everton] were complaining about offside,” said Wallace, who reached the Scottish Cup semi-final with Falkirk. “I had a quick look up at the screen and saw it didn’t look it, I wasn’t sure what they were moaning about. I smashed it, he saved it and I don’t think he [Cooper] has anywhere to go. He hasn’t moved his arm to the ball, it’s just hit off him.

“I don’t think you can give anything like that.”