By Sam Brown, Lions Live presenter

RESULTS elsewhere came to Millwall’s rescue as the Lions ensured their Championship status despite going down 1-0 at Derby on the final day of the season.

The Londoners looked destined for the point which would assure survival until the 85th minute when Rams substitute Conor Sammon fired home past David Forde to ensure a nervy finale.

Peterborough and Barnsley were both drawing at Palace and Huddersfield respectively at this stage and had both gone on to score a winner, Millwall would have dropped back to League One after three years in the Championship.

Thankfully Barnsley and Huddersfield cancelled each other out in a 2-2 draw, while Mile Jedinak struck a 89th minute winner for Crystal Palace to ease the nerves, and the Lions lived to fight another day.

“It was a relief,” admitted assistant manager Joe Gallen.

“The plan for us was to come here and at least get a point.

“That was not to be, so unfortunately we needed to rely on other scorelines.

“They were chopping and changing through the game.

“Thankfully Crystal Palace did us a favour and Huddersfield and Barnsley drew, so that was enough to sneak us over the line.”

Gallen added: “Adrian, our kit man, was keeping us informed.

“Once Derby had scored we were soon discussing what was going on elsewhere, but we still needed to score a goal.

“It didn't necessarily change what we needed to do because we needed a point to stay up.

“Derby had scored but we were still trying to work out how we could go forward and score.”

The Lions had made one change to the side which secured a point at home against Crystal Palace in midweek, with midfielder Liam Trotter replacing the injured James Henry. Millwall started the game brightly and almost scored within three minutes when Trotter’s effort was blocked by John Brayford.

Nerves and emotions were running high as the news Peterborough and Barnsley were both winning filtered through to the travelling supporters and piled on the pressure just before half-time.

At this point, one goal from Derby would have been enough to destroy the Lions’ hopes of retaining their Championship status.

The Rams had a number of chances to go in front.

Jamie Ward beat Alan Dunne to a long ball and headed wide past Forde on 24 minutes and Ward’s curling free-kick from the right found Richard Keogh unmarked six yards out but fortunately Forde was able to parry his effort.

But it was only in the 85th minute the East Midlands outfit broke down Kenny Jackett’s men when Sammon calmly converted Ward’s through ball to snatch victory.

Millwall only won one of their final nine league games and Gallen admitted their run to the FA Cup semi-final had taken its toll, with 10 games in 33 days.

The assistant boss said : “We have basically run out of energy.

“We have be able to put out a team that is defensively solid and hard to play against, but what we haven't been able to do is attack with any real threat, especially in open play.

“From set plays we have been able to cause a problem.

“When you play the 10 games in 33 days that we have done and constantly played Saturday and Tuesday, the FA cup semi-final and the fall out after that press wise etc, it has been a tough period for the players in terms of concentration and fatigue level.

“While you could put a team out to close it up defensively, it’s offensively you need energy, brightness and invention and we have failed with that over the last few weeks.”

“Sammon is a £1.2m striker.

“We are one of the small clubs in the league.

“Peterborough have gone down today and it’s an achievement for us this season to stay up and get to a semi and not lose a London derby.”

The Lions will now look to strengthen during the summer and after a tough campaign on and off the pitch, everybody at the club will be looking already to the new season.

Gallen said: “We could look at today, or we could look at the whole season overall, we have ended with 56 points, one less than last season with 57.

“We have’'t lost a London derby, which is a big thing for our fans.

“We have had extra games, more games than anyone else in our league due to the cup run and replays within that.

“We have got to a semi-final, which is an outstanding achievement which unfortunately got lost press wise after the game due to what happened.

“Our players or management didn’t get any pats on the back, ‘how did Millwall get to an FA cup semi final?’

”My opinion where we need to strengthen is obvious, it’s the creativity part.

“One must come with the other.

“We could get some strikers but if we don't have any creativity, we won’t create changes.

“We need to create more and get some goal scorers.

“This is my opinion and we do know goal scorers cost money.”

Email your thoughts and reaction to this week’s game to lionslive@hotmail.co.uk now to have your opinions aired.

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