QPR 3 Millwall 2 – Lions let two-goal lead slip as they suffer derby disappointment

BY DANIEL MARSH

Millwall surrendered a two-goal lead in west London as they fell to a late 3-2 defeat at the hands of QPR.

First-half goals from Jed Wallace and Mason Bennett fired Millwall into a 2-0 lead at the break, only for the hosts to hit back through Charlie Austin and Stefan Johansen in the second half.

QPR capitalised on a host of missed chances by Millwall to snatch the points late on through a towering Jordy De Wijs header.

It took just six minutes for the Lions to pounce at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.

George Evans snapped into a tackle to grapple back possession in the middle, leaving Ryan Woods free to drive forward. The midfielder slipped a perfect ball through for Wallace, who coolly slotted home into the far corner.

Woods should have had another assist soon after, with his smart ball finding Bennett all alone in front of goal. The Lions attacker seemed to be waiting for an offside flag which never arrived, as he shot tamely at the feet of Seny Dieng.

But Bennett made amends for that glaring miss less than a minute later. A long throw was flicked on by Jake Cooper, with Bennett on hand to acrobatically volley home from close range to double the Lions lead heading into the break.

Shaun Hutchinson should have killed the game off minutes after the restart, but he could only poke wide from a few yards out from a Millwall free kick.

QPR took full advantage of that let-off, as Austin nodded them back into the game in the 51st minute, heading home a Geoff Cameron delivery.

Hutchinson spurned another golden chance just minutes later from a deep Millwall free-kick, but the Lions defender couldn’t keep his volley down.

Unfortunately, Millwall paid the price for those missed chances just past the hour mark.

The Lions surrendered possession cheaply, allowing the hosts to break with men over on the left-hand side. Lee Wallace squared the ball to Fulham loanee Johansen, who took his time before firing past Bart Bialkowski to level the score.

Both sides had chances to seal the points, and it was the hosts who stole them in the 87th minute through a late De Wijs header to extend Millwall’s miserable record against QPR.