Millwall 1 v 1 Everton

FA Cup Third Round

For more match pictures, visit Millwall pictures

MILLWALL'S newest Lion came within 11 minutes of chewing up the Toffees and spitting them out of the FA Cup Marvin Williams, who signed his first professional contract hours before the match, was the spearhead of a team who gave Premiership big boys Everton a real fright and earned a well- deserved replay at Goodison Park.

More than 16,000 fans, the biggest crowd of the season so far, created a seething, cauldron-like atmosphere entirely suited to one of the biggest days of the football calendar.

They witnessed 18-year-old Williams second goal in as many games, Leon Osman's 79th minute equaliser and a virtuoso performance from Lions stopper Andy Marshall in his first start since November 1.

Boss Dave Tuttle was full of praise for his team. He said: "We had 10 players from the academy playing and they all put in 100 per cent effort and were brilliant.

"Marvin Williams has a lot of pace and he knows where the goal is and so we're delighted he has signed for Millwall.

"Andy Marshall has been out for seven weeks so to put in a performance like he did is all credit to him.

"A draw was a fair result and now the youngsters go to Goodison Park which is going to be a great experience and it might bring them on a bit more for the run-in so we can get out of the league position we're in."

Tuttle was without the services of Jody Morris, Alan Dunne and Josh Simpson but the unbeaten boss has the pleasure of a 22-man squad full of confidence.

He said: "The players have belief in themselves and they have worked hard over the past weeks.

"There is good self belief, confidence and team spirit here and we're confident we can do the job in the league. We'll be fighting until the end of the season."

Andy Marshall, who pulled off countless saves to frustrate Everton's millionaires, said: "The result is a pleasing one for the team although we're a little disappointed having led with 11 minutes to go.

"But for myself, having been out for a period of time, it was very pleasing."

Pre-match talk surrounded the return of Tim Cahill and the Aussie, who received a bitter reception, spurned chances throughout the 90 minutes.

He said: "Millwall were excellent to me while I was here and it was good to come back.

"I really enjoyed the match and hopefully I shall be back again one day."

Millwall could have taken the lead on 12 minutes when Barry Cogan's run was ended by a clumsy Nuno Valente challenge in the box but referee Rob Styles waved appeals away.

Marshall's first save denied Marcus Bent and then the number one was out quickly to save from James McFadden after birthday-boy Paul Robinson had sliced a clearance.

The breakthrough came on 38 minutes when Ben May's pass to Williams was dispatched coolly despite the attentions of Matteo Ferrari and the out-rushing Richard Wright.

Marshall was on hand to keep the lead intact, palming Cahill's looping header over the bar and from the corner Cahill's header was cleared off the line by Kevin Braniff.

After the break and once Marvin Elliott had headed over on 50 minutes it was all Everton, who had their own penalty appeal turned down after Valente appeared to be pulled back by Robinson.

Everton boss David Moyes brought on Duncan Ferguson and James Beattie as a new strike force and they were soon in the action as Beattie shot over from 18 yards and then set up Phil Neville whose shot was blocked.

On 71 minutes Beattie's cross was scrambled away by Marshall despite the presence of man-mountain Ferguson and the keeper was a relieved spectator when Mikel Arteta's free-kick sailed over the bar.

In a last throw of the dice Moyes introduced Leon Osman and the substitute was on the scoresheet within minutes.

The youngster volleyed Kilbane's cross toward goal at the far post and while Marshall was able to parry the ball away, it fell kindly for Osman who headed home the rebound, much to the relief of the 3,000 travelling fans.

Osman almost won the tie with a delicate chip from 18 yards but Marshall was not to be denied and he arched his back well to palm the ball over and from the corner he dived full-stretch to his right to save Ferguson's glancing header.

Marshall and his teammates had Kilbane to thank for not breaking their hearts after he skied Beattie's low cross into row Z from just six yards out.

Moments later Styles ended the match and the Den roared its approval and prepared for the trip to Merseyside on January 18.

MATCH FACTS: MILLWALL: Marshall, 9; Lawrence, 7; Elliott, 8; Robinson, 6; Livermore, 7; Cogan, 7; Whitbread, 7; Craig, 7; May, 8; Braniff, 7 (Fangueiro, 83); Williams, 8.

SUBS NOT USED: Phillips; Weston; Pooley; Hendry.

ATT: 16,440.