TIM Cahill's fifth goal in six games was enough to beat Rotherham United on Friday night at the New Den, taking Millwall to within touching distance of the play-off zone.

Chances were at a premium, but Millwall capitalised on their early ascendancy when Cahill poked home from close range following Dave Livermore's 23rd minute corner.

Rotherham went closest to replying 15 minutes later, when John Mullin struck the outside of the post from 25 yards after the ball was cut back to him by Chris Sedgwick.

Millwall almost increased their lead in the 69th minute when, after a well-worked short corner, Richard Sadlier shot home an angled volley just inside the far post. However, referee Paul Alcock inexplicably ruled the effort out.

Alcock also denied Millwall's two penalty claims.

The first was when Paul Ifill was clearly felled in the box just prior to the disallowed goal.

The second incident was Rob Scott's injury-time foul on Steve Claridge, which may have started slightly outside the penalty area, but certainly continued into it.

By now, the disgruntled home fans were unhappy that Alcock only awarded a free-kick.

Nine points from the last four games is promotion form, but Lions' manager Mark McGhee is still refusing to get carried away: "We tried hard to bring energy into the game, but we stuttered and stammered a bit.

"I had been worried that we wouldn't have Sadlier and Ifill available, as both had flu last week.

"Sadlier trained the day before the match, but Ifill didn't. So with Christophe Kinet absent as well, I've got to be satisfied with any sort of victory."

Injuries threatened to derail Millwall's efforts in the second half, as McGhee was forced to withdraw Sean Dyche, who was suffering from a sore hamstring, and Tony Warner, who cut the back of his head in a clash with United's Chris Swailes.

On the subject of other injured players, McGhee added: "We need Matt Lawrence, Steven Reid, Neil Harris, Joe Dolan and Kinet fit again to have any realistic chance of staying in the position we're in now.

"But without those five, we can't expect to finish in the top six."

Man of the match Cahill may have different ideas though, after yet another outstanding display. McGhee said: "I thought Timmy was brilliant before he signed a new contract, but to a degree he's got better and is more confident than ever."

Rotherham boss Ronnie Moore attributed Millwall's goal to poor defending: "I was disappointed with the goal we conceded as Cahill was left on his own just six yards out."

However, Moore was quick to praise the Lions' overall display: "They're a good side and always difficult to beat at the Den. We gave them a better game than we did last year, but I think if Ifill had delivered the ball quicker from the right wing, we might have been in trouble a couple of times."

Millwall now face a trip to Grimsby, which has only yielded two victories since the war.

Encouragingly though, those wins were gained in the most recent trips in 1997 and 1996.

So the Lions will be hoping to record a hat-trick of consecutive away wins against the Mariners.

For more news, visit the website: www.fromtheterrace.co.uk

November 14, 2001 11:08