Millwall held Huddersfield to a scoreless draw in this afternoon’s first leg play-off game at the Galpharm.

Manager Kenny Jackett told News Shopper on Thursday this game between two of the division’s top scorers was unlikely to finish without a goal, but he was proved wrong as the duo cancelled each other out in a game of few chances.

However, Jackett will undoubtedly claim his side were denied two Scott Barron penalty appeals either side of the break, with Peter Clarke the alleged offender in both cases.

Chris Hackett and Shaun Batt failed late fitness tests while Lewis Grabban was dropped to the bench.

Marc Laird, Neil Harris and Tony Craig started the game for the Lions and there was a place on the bench for Jason Price following the end of his loan spell at Carlisle.

Steve Morison headed straight at Alex Smithies from Barron’s free-kick on three minutes, while David Forde could only push away Gary Roberts’ cross at the seconds later before the danger was cleared.

Smithies did well to come out and deny Morison on 11 minutes when the Millwall striker attempted to get on the end of Barron’s pass.

Barron appealed for a penalty one minute later when he claimed his shot had been handled by Peter Clarke but referee Darren Deadman ignored the plea, although subsequent television replays indicated it was a spot kick.

Danny Drinkwater fired straight at Forde after being picked out by Lee Novak and Antony Kay blazed over at the other end.

Paul Robinson headed tamely at Smithies midway through the first half from Barron’s corner, while the Teriers keeper came to his side’s rescue by clearing after Morison attempted to get on the end of Barron’s pass.

However, Huddersfield should have gone in front on 27 minutes when Novak’s low cross was inexplicably fired over the bar by Jordan Rhodes from close range.

Robinson picked up a yellow card for a foul on Rhodes just outside of the area and Forde reacted well to push behind Drinkwater’s free-kick.

Millwall forced a quick succession of free-kicks and corners but the visitors were unable to capitalise on any of them.

Robinson headed behind Roberts cross for a corner on the stroke of half-time and although Anthony Pilkington’s delivery appeared to be put behind by Darren ward, Mr Deadman instead decided to award the Lions a goal kick.

Forde made a comfortable catch from Pilkington’s cross into the danger zone in the final piece of notable action in the first half as both sides went in level at the break.

Huddersfield were awarded a free-kick five minutes after the restart when the keeper was adjudged to have been fouled under pressure from Harris after Barron played a cross into the six-yard box.

Harris forced Smithies to get down low at his near post to keep out a 53rd minute shot from 20 yards.

Rhodes made a poor connection with Pilkington’s delivery three minutes later and volleyed wildly over the bar.

Barron had another decent shout for a penalty ignored by the official after he was tripped by Peter Clarke, much to the fury of the Millwall bench.

Morison’s powerful 63rd minute shot was blocked by Peter Clarke but the Lions had a goal rightly disallowed from the corner, which was handed in by Harris.

Harris was awarded a yellow card for the offence but it was somewhat ironic Mr Deadman had no problems spotting this transgression after completely failing to see the two earlier penalty claims.

Robinson stuck out a boot to prevent Kay’s 65th minute low drive finding the target, while Novak had the ball in the net moments later but it was ruled out for offside.

Harris volleyed well wide from 20 yards, while Roberts fired straight at Forde as the game remained evenly poised.

The Lions made their first change on 70 minutes when Harris was replaced by Gary Alexander but things then became scrappy as passes began to go astray from both sides.

Rhodes tested Forde with a close range 83rd minute header from Pilkington’s free-kick, while Novak and Rhodes both just failed to connect with Lee Peltier’s cross.

Huddersfield were awarded a free-kick 35 yards out but Pilkington drilled the effort straight into the wall.

Robbie Williams and Michael Collins came on in the 89th minute for Tom Clarke and Drinkwater, although their impact would have to be fairly instant with only three minutes of stoppage time added on.

Huddersfield won a couple of corners but the Lions defence held firm and it is all-square going into the decisive game at The Den on Tuesday evening.

Millwall: Forde, Smith, Robinson, Ward, Craig, Laird, Abdou, Trotter, Barron, Morison, Harris (Alexander 70). Subs not used: Sullivan, Frampton, Fuseini, Grabban, Price, Obika.