Tale of two penalties as Millwall lose final pre-season friendly against Fortuna Sittard

Millwall’s final friendly match before the start of the new Championship season ended in defeat to Fortuna Sittard at The Den.

The Lions took the lead through Tom Bradshaw but were pegged back before the interval after an impressive strike by Alen Halilovic.

Kevin Nisbet was denied from the spot before Tijjani Noslin did convert at the second attempt after his penalty was saved to put the Dutch side in front.

Millwall are expected to go with a back five at the start of the season and started in that formation this afternoon – Joe Bryan and Danny McNamara filling the wing-back roles.

Casper de Norre and Billy Mitchell anchored the midfielder with Duncan Watmore in a number 10 role behind Nisbet and Bradshaw.

It was Bradshaw, last season’s top scorer, who put the South Londoners ahead on 25 minutes. His crossfield pass got the attack going, McNamara supplying a low cutback which the Wales international confidently finished at the first attempt.

But Fortuna also had their own moments. Noslin’s header from an Halilovic corner was cleared off his own line by Nisbet and the Fortuna number 77 also strangely opted for a full-blooded cross instead of going for goal in the opening stages.

Noslin was involved in the equaliser. Halilovic played a one-two with the striker and then produced a precision curled finish beyond George Long that even drew applause from some of the home support.

Millwall enjoyed territorial advantage in the opening 45 minutes – Nisbet and Bradshaw both had attempts – but Halilovic’s sweet strike was the last action of that period, referee James Bell blowing his whistle as soon as the hosts kicked off.

The Lions had the chance to go back ahead soon into the second half after Watmore was knocked over inside the box by Remy Vita. But Fortuna keeper Ivor Pandur guessed correctly, diving to his right to push away Nisbet’s well-struck attempt.

Referee Bell pointed to the spot for the second time when Jake Cooper pulled back Noslin. The Fortuna number 77, who had been a nuisance all match, needed treatment before stepping up himself. George Long went the correct way but the ball came back out for the striker to slam home.

Millwall switched shape to a 4-4-2 and then a 4-3-3 as they looked for a leveller. Aidomo Emakhu was a bright spark down the left, his pace and directness causing Sittard some issues.