Tom Bradshaw earns praise from Millwall chief for slogging on despite lack of striker back up

BY ALEX GRACE

Gary Rowett praised Tom Bradshaw after his goal sealed Millwall’s first-ever victory at the Cardiff City Stadium and first win in the Welsh capital since February 2005.

The striker, who has been capped by Wales, scored his seventh goal of the season to ensure the Lions remain right in the Championship play-off picture.

Bradshaw is also the Lions’ only recognised striker following the departures of Isaac Olaofe and Benik Afobe this month.

“He’s brilliant, Bradders, ” said Rowett. “I’ve spoken about it where we need to strengthen those attacking areas. The likes of Bradders have just had to keep going and going and going at a sort of 80 per cent, because you’ve not got that little bit of spark. But he runs and runs and runs, and it was a typical goal from us.

“I think it’s Kipre who just delayed on the ball, and someone like Bradders you can’t do that – he never stops. He always chases everything down. Just getting a little toe on it to score the goal was fantastic.”

Rowett’s men had chances to extend their lead in the second half. One notable chance was Jamie Shackleton’s effort that Ryan Allsop kept out following a Lions counter.

The Lions boss was impressed with his side’s battling performance at the back to seal all three points on the road for the fourth time this season.

“We could have had another one second half. We really should have put the game to bed in that little breakaway. But, as it was, we just had to sit in, defend for our lives, and we just about managed to do that.”