A LAST-minute penalty saw Huddersfield grab a point off Millwall in dramatic circumstances at The Den.
Brooke Norton-Cuffy’s second half strike looked to have secured a crucial and, at times, fairly comfortable win for Millwall.
But an effort driven from range hit the hand of George Saville in the 96th minute of stoppage time with referee Darren Bond pointing to the spot almost immediately. Delano Burgzorg dispatched the effort to leave hapless Millwall with two points fewer than they will feel they deserved.
The beleaguered Lions had won just one of their last 11 games and were pitted against a side in Huddersfield who were they level on points with at kick-off.
And while they were not perfect, Joe Edwards’ side were the better side throughout and had periods of really encouraging build-up play.
Norton-Cuffy’s goal came early in the second half as he forced home a cross from close-range. It’s the latest contribution from the Arsenal loanee, who was awarded man of the match for the second home game running and constantly got Millwall going with his determined and boisterous running.
And it was not just him either with many of Millwall’s misfiring stars playing with more intent than in recent games. But it would not be enough and now they will need to regroup ahead of next week’s trip to struggling Stoke City.
It was a must-win match for both sides and the first half told the tale of two teams just lacking both confidence and some quality in front of goal.
But Millwall were on top for large periods and created the better chances with Saville and Billy Mitchell, partnered together for just the second time in 17 games, keeping control of the midfield.
It was up front where the Lions struggled to consistently make things click with their final ball letting them down often.
Tom Bradshaw hooked a difficult chance over the bar early on before a delicious cross by Murray Wallace, following on from his assist against Leicester, caught the Huddersfield keeper out. Lee Nicholls only got a hand to the ball but Norton-Cuffy couldn’t make more of the rebound. That moment would foreshadow the opening goal that eventually came.
But before that, Zian Flemming, restored to starting line-up after being put on the bench at the King Power, had two efforts in the first half. His second one was a rasping drive that forced Nicholls into his most challenging save of the half as he flew down to his left.
Later Kevin Nisbet curled an effort over the bar while Wes Harding couldn’t get enough power on his shot when the ball broke to him from a set-piece.
At the other end, all Matija Sarkic had to worry about was a close-range flick by Danny Ward – the match winner in this fixture last season – after he managed to latch onto a cross by Sorba Thomas.
The energy and intent was there from the Lions but the quality and relentlessness in front of goal was lacking by the time both teams retired to the dressing rooms at half-time.
Manager Darren Moore must have said something quite inspiring during the 15-minute break because Huddersfield began the half the far stronger team and came close when David Kasumu’s effort was deflected over the bar.
But Millwall woke up and got their award almost immediately. Wallace whipped another dangerous low cross in that went all the way through to the back post. Nicholls managed to prevent it going in but could not stop Norton-Cuffy forcing it in for the first goal at The Den.
Huddersfield rallied for a few minutes and Edwards was left turning to his bench after 65 minutes. Joe Bryan is back fit and arrived alongside Duncan Watmore, with both players re-energising their teammates. The visitors had bigger problems to worry about – at the same time as Millwall’s double-sub, goalkeeper Nicholls was forced to come off with an injury issue. He was replaced by Chris Maxwell.
He was required to keep out Bryan who swiped a loose ball at goal before Saville hit his effort over the bar.
To the credit of Millwall, who had been without a home win since September 20, they kept pressing for a second goal and largely did not look too troubled by Huddersfield.
That was true until the very last minute when the visitors had a free-kick from out wide. Millwall managed to clear the ball to the edge of the box when it was fired back in by Josh Koroma and hit Saville’s hand.
Burgzorg delivered from the spot and the Lions are still left wondering when their luck might turn around. It is now seven home games without a win.
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Millwall: 5-2-1-2: Sarkic; Norton-Cuffy, Leonard, Harding, Cooper (c), Wallace (Bryan 64′); Saville, Mitchell (Campbell 86′); Flemming (64′); Bradshaw (Longman 90+2′), Nisbet.
Huddersfield: 3-5-2: Nicholls (Maxwell 66′); Nakayama, Helik, Lees; Thomas, Kasumu, Hogg (c) (Koroma 79′), Rudoni, Headley; Burgzorg, Ward.
Referee: Darren Bond
Attendance: 15,040 (750 away fans)