Ebbsfleet United 1-2 Millwall

EBBSFLEET'S penultimate pre-season friendly ended with disappointment in terms of the result when they went down to Millwall last night.

But Liam Daish will have been pleased with his side's sharpness and application and especially the contrast evident since the Charlton mauling almost three weeks ago.

Kenny Jackett's League One side proved a far more resilient outfit than the one which slumped away from Stonebridge Road last season on the back of a 2-0 defeat, though the Fleet gave as good as they got in a game in which they were rarely outclassed.

Yet it looked as if this just what might happen as the early exchanges brought back memories of the 6-0 thrashing by Charlton.

Millwall went ahead inside two minutes when Ryan Smith's pass split the Fleet defence and Chris Hackett powered shot into the corner beyond Lance Cronin.

The visitors continued to press and former Gillingham striker Neil Harris almost guided the ball through for Smith to finish, while Scott Barron's hot shot was fortunately wide of Cronin's post.

But the Fleet found themselves on level terms on 31 minutes with what seems to be fast becoming the signature Neil Barrett goal, as the midfielder let fly with a low shot from outside the box that wrong-footed Lenny Pidgeley.

The goal buoyed the home side and Michael Gash impressed with some good hold-up play, while James Smith could have edged his side in front with a strong header which Pidgeley proved equal to.

John Akinde's welcome return in the second half gave the Fleet some extra power up front, though they lacked Stacy Long's creativity to provide ammunition for the front line.

Gash lobbed Pidgeley after meeting a long pass from Darius Charles, but it scaled the crossbar and sailed to safety.

Millwall regained the lead on 53 minutes when Gary Bowes took advantage of a poor headed clearance and guided a shot past Cronin.

The Lions youngster was at the heart of most of what was good about the visitors' forward play and Cronin had to be alert on several occasions as Bowes and Harris threatened to extend the score.

Substitute Long had a couple of pot-shots turned around the post, while Craig Stone and Akinde both troubled the Millwall back line with efforts.

An Akinde-Ricky Shakes combination came closest to equalising for Ebbsfleet with an effort scuffed away from danger at the last minute as the ball bounced around the penalty area.

Ebbsfleet: Cronin, Ricketts (Pooley 60), Opinel, Stone, Smith, Charles, Shakes (Richardson 87), Barrett (Hand), Gash (Appiah 87), Moore (Akinde 46), Purcell (Long 65). Subs not used: Mott, Hawkins, MacDonald.

Millwall: Pidgeley, Sim (Bowes 44), Barron, Spiller, O'Connor, Frampton, Hackett, Keane (Johnson 83), Harris, Grimes, Smith. Subs not used: Taylor, Walker. Att: 1,671.