Millwall move up to second after being held in goalless stalemate at West Brom

Millwall moved back into the automatic promotion places after they were held to a goalless Championship draw against West Brom at The Hawthorns.

Alex Neil’s side are now a point ahead of Ipswich and Middlesbrough, but could be overtaken depending on results this weekend.

Millwall created the best chances for more than an hour, but Albion fought back near the end and could have taken three points themselves.

The Lions were left to rue some clear-cut openings, particularly from Josh Coburn, who volleyed wide from five yards, while Mihailo Ivanovic hit the crossbar from long range.

They have 37 points on the road – the best in the division – but they needed more with competition high for the second spot.

The visitors were on top before the break and looked a constant threat with the stakes high for both teams.

They threatened after five minutes, when Ivanovic pounced on a poor pass from recalled Albion captain Alex Mowatt.

He sent Thierno Ballo free and he raced clear, only to run out of space and find the side netting.

Ballo was making his first start in almost three months and he tormented the Baggies defence again when he whipped in a cross from the left.

Coburn looked set to score, only to miss his chance in a clear opportunity.

Millwall almost took the lead in spectacular fashion when Ivanovic turned and rattled the woodwork from 25 yards out.

George Campbell and Nat Phillips got in a mix up and were lucky not to gift Millwall an own goal.

They finished the half on top and Camiel Neghli’s left-footed shot from the edge of area was kept out by a flying save from Baggies goalkeeper Max O’Leary.

Millwall must have thought they had scored after the break when substitute Tommy Watson looked set to head home, only to be denied by a superb clearance from Danny Imray.

It looked only a matter of time before the Londoners scored – but it was Albion who looked the more likely as the game went on.

Jayson Molumby almost scored but was thwarted by Millwall goalkeeper Anthony Patterson’s first real save of the game.

Morrison’s side need points to move away from the relegation zone and the result means they are now seven games unbeaten.

The point leaves the hosts five points ahead of third-bottom Leicester, with four matches remaining.