Neil Harris defended goalkeeper David Martin after his 94th minute mistake cost Millwall a place in the FA Cup semi-final as the Lions were finally beaten 5-4 on penalties.

Millwall started the stronger of the two sides, retaining possession very well and forced Lewis Dunk into a two point blank blocks from the edge of the penalty area.

Lee Gregory was closest to opening the scoring after his looping effort had Matt Ryan beaten in the Brighton goal but it crashed onto the wrong side of the net.

However, the deadlock was broken on the 70th minute after Shaun Williams whipped in a delightful corner to find a towering Alex Pearce at the back post who planted his header over the Brighton defenders on the line and into the back of the net.

Millwall then doubled their lead after Jed Wallace made darting run down the right hand side which beat both Bernardo and Duffy to then put it on a plate for O’Brien in the 79th.

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Brighton then replied in quick succession after Locadia blasted one into the net, then a 35 yard freekick from Solly March out witted Martin in the Millwall goal, who flapped the ball into the top corner to make the score 2-2.

The Lions weathered the storm during extra time as they managed to push the game to penalties despite going a man down after Shane Ferguson was given a straight red card for a stamp on Lewis Dunk.

With Glenn Murray missing Brighton’s first penalty it was in the Lions hands to slot home their penalties but misses from Mahlon Romeo and Jake Cooper ended their dreams of achieving their first FA Cup semi-final since 2013.

“What an outstanding performance for 94 minutes,” Harris said.

“First and foremost I feel for Dave Martin because he was excellent throughout the game.”

“He absolutely commanded his box, made some saves, good kicking, but he’s made a slight error of judgement and it’s cost us.

“His error looks worse than others but if forwards are more clinical when they get their one on one chances, defenders make better challenges in wide areas, we get closer in the box for their first goal then the second one doesn’t become a problem.”

Millwall’s attention will now turn to retaining Championship football next season by gaining points from their final nine fixtures.

“The performance and result at Birmingham was a big give from everybody. For me today we surpassed and matched a Brighton side who are doing really well in the Premier League.

“We have got nine cup finals left, this has been a great adventure for us, the FA Cup, we have had some great games none more so than the today and the Everton game.

“We have to take those battling qualities and some of the quality we had with the ball, the energy levels and the doggedness we had at times. We will be taking that into those nine cup finals.

“The biggest game of the season, bigger than today, by far is Leeds away in two weeks time. We will enjoy the break, enjoy the rest definitely.

Shane Ferguson’s sending off was detrimental to Millwall’s penalty hopes, with the left midfielder already notching one this season against Ipswich on news years day.

“Shane Ferguson would have certainly taken a penalty because he is technically our best player.

“At the time I could not really see, the fourth official said it was a stamp and if that’s the case then there is no place for that on my football pitch. He will be punished serverely.

“If it is a mistake then we will obviously appeal it and then if we don’t then Shane will have to learn the harsh lesson.”