Late own-goal drama at Derby leaves Millwall boss Alex Neil frustrated

Millwall boss Alex Neil was frustrated after his side were unable to hang on to three points as Derby levelled late on to earn a 1-1 draw at Pride Park.

Neil’s side put themselves in position to move back within two points of second-placed Middlesbrough when Matt Clarke nodded Thierno Ballo’s cross into his won net to put the Lions in front nine minutes from the end.

But Derby denied the visitors a fourth straight win when Jake Cooper headed in the second own goal of the contest down the other end in the 88th minute.

Neil said: “It was frustrating. Throughout the game we had the better opportunities and cleaner opportunities than what Derby had.

“We had some good moments and some decent breakaways in the second half. I can’t think of too many clear chances for Derby and I thought we defended our box really well.

“The manner of the goal is disappointing but I think we could have that corner 100 times and it wouldn’t hit Cooper’s head and go into the far corner.

“Frustrating from our perspective especially when you’re leading the game, they are usually things we do very well but the goal is a freak goal so I’m less disappointed than what I would’ve been if we lost the header.”

Millwall still sit in third and are unbeaten in four matches but Neil says he is having to manage a number of injuries throughout the squad.

He added: “The big picture is looking excellent. I’m just referring to I think it wasn’t a high-quality contest.

“When you’ve got your best players fit, the job from a coach’s perspective becomes a lot easier so it makes it more challenging.

“I can’t question the effort of the players, endeavour and the fight they’ve got. They showed that tonight and competed very well.”

Derby boss John Eustace hailed the character his side showed to avoid a third straight home defeat despite going a goal down relatively late in the piece.

He said: “Proud of the group and the effort, it was a real battle, both teams very committed and limited a very good team to next to nothing.

“On the back of two defeats when you go a goal down in the manner we did with the own goal the way the group got together and equalised was pleasing.

“The most important thing is we showed great character. The lads have done a lot of work over the last couple days what we can do better and I think that came out in the last 10 minutes.”