Millwall 0-0 Luton: Championship play-off hopefuls play out stalemate at The Den

Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Luton at The Den as the play-off hopefuls share the points in a goalless draw; Both sides had half chances but were unable to make the breakthrough

Friday 7 April 2023 20:27, UK

Championship play-off hopefuls Millwall and Luton shared the points in a 0-0 draw at The Den.

While certainly an entertaining encounter between Millwall and Luton, there was a lack of clear-cut chances. Ethan Horvath made a superb first-half save to deny Ryan Leonard's long-range effort, while George Long was called upon as the game reached its climax.

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Millwall too had a series of penalty calls turned down by referee Darren England, and remain fifth in the table on 62 points. Luton are now eight games unbeaten in the Championship, but are eight points off Sheffield United in second, having played a game more.

How the points were shared at The Den

It was an entertaining first half and Millwall went close inside two minutes. A sublime ball over the top from Zian Flemming found Oliver Burke's run, but he could not quite get the ball under his control, with Horvath there to scoop it up.

Millwall had three first-half penalty calls turned down. The first came after a tussle from a free-kick, with the second seeing Tom Lockyer and Tom Bradshaw battle inside the area. There appeared to be a bit of a pull back from the Luton captain, but not enough to warrant a spot kick.

Lockyer was then needed again as Luton played themselves into trouble. Burke burst into the area, with Amari'i Bell unable to keep up, but the Hatters skipper was across to clear. Some poor control from Gabriel Osho almost allowed Andreas Voglsammer through too, but Horvath was there to collect again.

The goalkeeper's finest first-half moment came just after the half-hour mark as Leonard hit a long-range effort his way, forcing Horvath into a low save. Millwall's third penalty call of the half followed as Voglsammer's shot hit Marvellous Nakamba at close range, but again, nothing was given.

Luton began the second half well, but as had been in the case in the opening period, it was Millwall who saw the better chances around the hour mark. Murray Wallace nodded a free-kick onto the roof of the net, before Voglsammer found himself crowded out inside the six-yard box.

The game began to meander slightly, with neither side wanting to lose vital points late in the game. Long made his first saves to first deny Carlton Morris on a tight angle before getting down low to push away Alfie Doughty's strike.

There were a few late penalty calls for Millwall again, who may have felt aggrieved to have been awarded none of them over the 90 minutes. Both involved Lockyer and Jake Cooper, with the Luton defender appearing to pull the Millwall man down in the first incident, before using Cooper as leverage to rise above him. However, neither were awarded.

But ultimately, a draw was a fair result between two promotion hopefuls who continue to battle for a place in the play-offs.

The managers

Millwall's Gary Rowett:

"Coops gets held round the waist and dragged to ground and they let that play on. At some point someone has to be braver because Coops has had that all season. It's been quite embarrassing how many shouts we've had and we haven't had one go our way. Out of about 30 incidents we've had one.

"He's 6ft7 and people say maybe he goes to the ground too easily but that's not a reason to give one penalty. I think if you'd have that back, I think there's every chance the decision is different."

Luton's Rob Edwards:

"It was a really tough day. If you'd asked me before of course we wanted to win the game, but with how the game went, the lack of flow and rhythm, going into the last 10 minutes it was a case of keep what we've got."It's a tough place to

come. Any free-kick or throw in, it's a real challenge. We stood up to that well and to get a clean sheet here is difficult to do."

Player of the match - Tom Lockyer

Sky Sports' Lee Hendrie at The Den:

"Tom Lockyer has been involved in a few penalty shouts, but he's had a fine game in keeping the Millwall attack quiet. He's done his defensive work well and he's my man of the match."

What's next?

Both sides are back in action at 3pm on Easter Monday. Millwall head to Hull City. Luton host Blackpool - live on Sky Sports Football Red Button and the Sky Sports app.