Millwall underline their promotion credentials

Goals from two graduates of non league football fired Millwall to within three points of Leeds in the battle for League One's automatic promotion places.

Simon Grayson's Leeds were a mere shadow of the side that started the season dominantly, holding the lead of the league for four months. The Yorkshire side were without top scorer Jermaine Beckford, who missed out with a tight hamstring, but it would have taken a massive performance from the striker if Leeds were to have taken anything from this tie.

Grayson's side were dealt their first blow of the evening when influential defender Patrick Kisnorbo was stretchered off after just six minutes with an apparent recurrence of an achilles problem. The Australian pulled up with his injury tracking the menacing Steve Morison. And it was the former Stevenage Borough striker who put The Lions ahead just five minutes later, latching onto a deep cross to rifle the ball into the midriff of the helpless Casper Ankegren as both 'keeper and ball hit the back of the net.

Following the opener, the East London side continued to dominate, and looked likely to score a second goal amid apprehensive Leeds defending. Extra pressure was applied to the home side's back four as Leeds were perpetually wasteful with possession in midfield. It wasn't until approaching half time that the Yorkshire club began to gain something of a foothold.

"Leeds were perpetually wasteful with possession in midfield"

After the break Leeds showed much more urgency in getting the ball forward, but lacked the necessary creative spark to generate realistic goal scoring opportunities. Usually inventive midfielders Luciano Becchio and Robert Snodgrass both looked short of imagination in their play, and they were ably shut down by the hard working Millwall midfielder Nadjim Abdou. With Leeds unable to convert their increasing dominance into clear cut chances they conceded a goal which will have frustrated manager Simon Grayson.

Freshly introduced winger Shaun Batt battled well on the left hand side following a throw in down the line, scrapping to work the ball goalwards before firing in a speculative near-post effort. Casper Akegren was beaten at his near post by the power of the strike, but the ball appeared to go underneath the Danish 'keeper's hand. The goal all but settled the tie, and the impressive Steve Morison showed competence and perseverance in winning a series of corners, enabling the away side to close down the match.

Leeds' recent woes continue. Having looked like Champions elect around the turn of the new year their season is going downhill. Their problems may well be compounded in their next fixture, as they travel to run away league leaders Norwich. Defeat at Carrow Road would likely see the Yorkshire club retain their automatic promotion spot on goal difference alone, and boss Simon Grayson will be eager to take a positive result. Millwall, on the other hand, are building a head of steam at the perfect juncture. With increasingly strong results, Millwall look the most likely side to take the automatic promotion spot and make a return to The Championship following a four year absence.

Saturday Afternoon Round-Up

League One:

There was frustration in the race for automatic promotion as both Charlton and Norwich dropped points. Norwich still hold an 8 point lead at the top, with Leeds due to play their game in hand on Monday night with Millwall. But it could have been a 10 point gap, had it not been for a late Gorden Greer equaliser for the home side as playoff-chasing Swindon Town secured a 1-1 draw. Meanwhile a battling away performance from Gillingham saw them gain a point in a 2-2 draw against local rivals Charlton. The result leaves Charlton 4 points behind second-placed Leeds United, and Swindon move level on 67 points as they make a late bid for automatic promotion.

In the race for the playoffs, Colchester succumbed to a poor 1-0 away defeat to 10-man Walsall, courtesy of a dramatic 94th minute winner from Darren Byfield. Colchester's loss was Huddersfield's gain as they strolled to a comfortable 2-0 away win at Leyton Orient's Brisbane Road. And in the outisde pack, Bristol Rovers' 3-0 away win at Yeovil saw them move to within a point of MK Dons, who were heavily beaten 3-0 at home by rank outsiders for the playoffs, Southampton.

Meanwhile, in the tight relegation scrap there were draws for three of the four sides in the drop zone. Stockport County were defeated 1-0 at home to Brentford in a result which sounded the death-knell on their season. Wycombe and Exeter played out a 2-2 draw with a point bringing Exeter within a point of safety but leaving The Chairboys in real peril 7 points from survival. Southend also played out a 2-2 draw at Roots Hall against Carlisle. And in a tie between two sides not yet safe from relegation, Brighton enjoyed a 2-0 away win over Oldham to take them up into 14th spot, but still only 7 points away from the drop zone.