Alan Dunne admitted his vital injury time clearance in Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Charlton almost felt like scoring the winner.
With the game deep into stoppage time, Addicks substitute George Tucudean burst through and lifted the ball over Lions keeper David Forde.
It looked certain to secure all three points for the home side before Byron Webster got a touch and then Dunne scrambled the ball behind for corner to ensure Millwall maintained their 18-year unbeaten record against their neighbours.
The defender said: “I was going to run off celebrating like we’d scored but there was still a bit of time left.
“For me a clearance like that was like scoring a goal.
“I thought it was offside initially but, watching it back, it wasn’t and it would have been tough to take had they scored.
“The way things have been going for us this season, it was a surprise they didn’t.
“Webster slipped and then I managed to clear it. It all happened so quickly.
“Fordey did enough by standing up. It would have been harsh to concede at the end.”
In a game of few chances, it was Millwall who came closest to breaking the deadlock when substitute Jermaine Easter was denied by an excellent stop from Nick Pope, deputising in goal after regular number one Stephen Henderson sustained an injury in training.
And although it was Tucudean who went on to have the best opportunity, Dunne pointed out he and his fellow defenders had little else to trouble them.
He said: “Apart from that, I thought we were comfortable defensively - we were solid throughout the game.
“A draw was a fair result in the end.
“I heard ‘you’ll never beat Millwall’ being sung a few times at the end and both sets of fans were fantastic.
“They made it a great occasion.”
Dunne added: “It was a typical derby game and one that some of the lads haven’t played in before.
“It was a fantastic atmosphere and the fans were great. It was an exciting game.
“We didn’t create enough but we did have chances.
“I thought we were a bit nervous in the first half but the game opened up in the second half and became stretched.
“Both teams were going for it but we need to be better at creating chances.
“We’ll take a clean sheet because any point in this league is a good point and we'll move on.”
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