Cheltenham 3 v 2 Millwall

Coca Cola League One

MILLWALL were denied a third successive victory when Cheltenham's JJ Melligan hit a heartbreaking 82nd-minute winner to clinch the points at a rain-soaked Whaddon Road.

Nigel Spackman's bravehearts had battled manfully for just under an hour with 10 men after keeper Lenny Pidgeley was shown a straight red card for allegedly handling outside the area with the teams locked level at 1-1.

Despite playing a man-down the Lions showed real determination to forge a half-time lead only to have their numerical disadvantage punished twice after the break.

In an absorbing encounter Millwall had to weather an early Cheltenham storm with the lively Grant McCann twice delivering teasing corners and then a free-kick into the danger zone which the visiting defence dealt with competently.

At the other end Zak Whitbread's header from Filipe Morais' 10th-minute corner was deflected wide and Derek McInnes drove wide from 22-yards just seconds later.

A delightful move involving Maurice Ross, Morais and Chris Hackett ended with the latter's angled shot flashing a couple of yards past Shane Higgs' left hand post.

But on 14 minutes Paul Robinson was penalised following a 50-50 tussle with Steve Guinan and to the incredulity of the Millwall bench, referee Trevor Kettle pointed to the spot. McCann made no mistake with a fiercely struck penalty, despite keeper Pidgeley diving the right way.

Marvin Williams had a great chance to level after 19 minutes but had the ball nicked off his toes as he prepared to shoot.

Within seconds, home keeper Higgs was picking the ball out of the back of his net when McInnes picked up the ball 22 yards out after some delightful approach work and hit a magnificent piledriver giving Higgs no chance.

The Lions sensed Cheltenham were there for the taking with McInnes, Williams and an audacious overhead kick from Marvin Elliott causing anxious moments in an increasingly nervy home defence.

But just as Spackman's side were gaining the upper hand Pidgeley was shown a straight red card, despite the assistant clearly initially indicating no foul play had occurred.

Skipper McInnes was booked for his protests but to the dismay of the Millwall camp the decision stood.

Filipe Morais was the unlucky Lion to be sacrificed, handing Chris Day his chance between the sticks.

But 60 injury-time seconds saw the pendulum swing Millwall's way.

Maurice Ross's superb tackle denied Guinan as he shaped to shoot and as play switched to the other end, Kevin Braniff's inch-perfect pass was picked up by Williams on the right.

The young striker sprinted forward, turned Jamie Victory before despatching a sublime finish into the bottom corner.

After the restart Kayode Odejayi tested Day with a stinging drive and then Robinson did well to clear the danger but Cheltenham just didn't seem to have a clear idea of their game plan to try and break down a resilient Millwall rearguard.

In the end they opted for pumping the ball towards the towering Odejayi in the hope he would get a kind break or bounce - and that's exactly what happened on 67 minutes when he broke clear and fired past Day.

It took a stupendous save by Day to keep the scores level with 14 minutes remaining when he instinctively stuck out a leg to somehow clear Odejayi's goalbound header.

But Cheltenham grabbed a third and decisive goal when The Lions were temporarily down to nine men with Williams having treatment on the touchline. Braniff and Ross were caught in two minds deep in the Cheltenham half and Odejayi picked up the loose ball.

Robinson slipped enabling the striker to power forward and although his shot was parried by Day the ball fell kindly to Melligan, who lashed home.

In a game full of incident, action and controversy there was to be no further twist to the tale for Millwall who should have been heading home with a least a point to show for their effort and endeavour.

MATCH FACTS

MILLWALL: Pidgeley, Ross, Whitbread, Elliott, Robinson, Shaw, Morais (Day, 38), McInnes, Braniff, Hackett (Ardley, 48), Williams ( Hubertz, 71).

SUBS NOT USED: Craig, Mawene.

ATT: 4,386.