MILWALL moved into the top six for the first time since the opening day of the season, with a hard-earned point away at Grimsby on Saturday.

The Lions fell behind early in the second half, when Millwall keeper Tony Warner could only parry Michael Boulding's ferocious long-range shot. Bradley Allen picked up the pieces, crossing to the far post for Jonathan Rowan to head the home side in front.

It took Millwall almost half an hour to equalise. Paul Ifill left a couple of defenders trailing in his wake on the left, before curling an inswinging cross. The Mariners keeper Danny Coyne spilled it and the ball found its way out to Richard Sadlier, who controlled before firing home a low shot on the turn.

At this stage, the Lions looked more than capable of winning, but they were once again undone by a lightning counter attack Boulding volleying home Paul Groves' right-wing cross with two minutes left.

But deep into stoppage time, Millwall struck back. Ryan Green's cross from deep caused consternation in the Grimsby defence, and in the melee Steve Claridge swooped to toe-poke his ninth league goal of the season.

On the subject of the grandstand finale, Mark McGhee said: "We made the match more nerve wracking than it needed to be because we didn't take our chances.

"Their second goal was fant-astic, but slightly against the run of play. In the last five minutes, I still felt we could get a goal, as we deserved to get something out the game."

McGhee also had words of comfort for Sadlier who, despite scoring a beautiful goal was guilty of a glaring miss.

McGhee added: "Strikers miss chances. I missed easier chances than that in my playing days. He's leading the line really well."

However, the Millwall boss was disappointed only to gain a single point for the team's endeavours: "When I was looking ahead to the game, I knew we would have to work hard to take something from the match; but with hindsight, I think we should have seized all three points."

A tactical move almost did trick: "When we switched Ifill to the left, he was able to change the game and lift our tempo. Once we made the change, Ifill got behind their defence and we looked as if we might win."

Grimsby manager Lennie Lawrence blamed his defence for surrendering the points: "A draw was probably a fair result. We didn't defend well enough at any point, even with five at the back to protect our lead.

"Millwall are a decent side and they caused us problems. We conceded two soft goals, but Claridge will always take advantage of poor defending.

"Before that we allowed Sadlier time to bring the ball down on his chest and shoot from eight yards. We've conceded goals in the past by being caught out too far up the field, and now we've paid the price for playing too deep."

A large crowd is expected at the Den (Saturday, kick off 3pm) for the visit of struggling Gillingham, who belied their league form by defeating Millwall 2-1 in the Worthington Cup back in September.

The Lions will welcome back Dave Livermore from suspension, as they aim to beat their local rivals for the first time in the league since March 1998.

November 20, 2001 12:36