The lowdown on Derby 0 Millwall 1 – Lions refusing to let Championship play-off dreams fizzle out

Millwall: Jensen, Crama, Tanganga, Cooper, Bryan (Sturge 58), Saville, De Norre (Mitchell 79), Neghli, Cundle (Honeyman 65), Azeez (Emakhu 79), Ivanovic (Coburn 65). Subs not used: Roberts, Harding, Wallace, Wintle.

SNAPSHOT OF THE GAME

It was a tight contest that did not come to life until late on – but it was a game that was controlled the majority of the time by Millwall. The Rams have been on a poor run that has seen them slip right into the thick of the relegation battle and it was evident that confidence was low. They found it hard to break down a Millwall side that did not give up many chances.

A fairly uneventful first half passed and Derby came close in the second period. Matthew Clarke’s header from a corner hit Femi Azeez and bounced off the bar and landed back into Lukas Jensen’s gloves. The Millwall keeper did not have a save to make throughout the 90 minutes.

Coburn had a great chance to open the scoring in the 83rd minute. He won and took the penalty but saw it saved by Jacob Zetterstrom. However, back came the on-loan Middlesbrough man in stoppage time to fire home after George Saville’s shot had been saved.

Alex Neil made two changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Preston on Tuesday night. George Saville and Camiel Neghli came into the side in place of Billy Mitchell and Ra’ees Bangura-Williams, who was not included in the matchday squad. Prior to this game, Millwall had won seven games by a 1-0 scoreline this season, showing how strong their defence is. It was clear to see that Neil wanted his side to control the pace and direction of the match and they did that well in the opening exchanges. The home side did come back into the contest but never troubled Neil’s side.

STAR MAN

Tristan Crama. He has been thrown in at right-back due to the injuries that have been sustained by Ryan Leonard and Danny McNamara but he has settled into that role really well. He looked the most dangerous outlet for Millwall. He put in some dangerous balls. It was a really encouraging run of form for the former Brentford man.

The late winner from Coburn. A much-needed confidence boost for the Middlesbrough loanee after seeing his penalty saved. He reacted quickest to scramble home the loose ball into the net.

The lack of cutting edge from both sides. We had to wait until the second half for the first shot on target. That is something that Millwall will be pleased with from a defensive perspective but offensively they need to improve on that.

Can the Lions make a late charge for the top six? There are 12 games left in this campaign for the Lions – six at home and six away.

And the home fixtures do look favorable – Bristol City, Stoke, Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Norwich and Swansea all have to visit SE16. The game against Boro looks the toughest out of those fixtures. It’s Millwall’s away matches that are tricky. Watford, Leeds, Sunderland, Sheffield United, Blackburn and Burnley. That is three of the sides going for automatic promotion plus two – Sunderland and Blackburn – who have fairly strong home records.

It will be tough, that is for sure, but Millwall are at their best when they are the underdog.