Alex Neil refuses to criticise Millwall striker Josh Coburn for missed chance

Millwall manager Alex Neil admitted he could not be over-critical of striker Josh Coburn after he missed the best chance of the game in a 0-0 draw at West Brom.

Neil said his players were “knackered” after the point edged them into the Sky Bet Championship’s top two ahead of Saturday’s fixtures.

Coburn could have opened the scoring in the first half, but he volleyed wide from inside the six-yard box.

But Neil pointed to Coburn’s eight goals which have been a major part of Millwall’s promotion bid.

“Josh Coburn’s was probably the best chance of the game,” said Neil. “But in recent games, he’s struck every one of those into the net.

“It’s then hard to be critical in terms of his contribution up to this point. You’re going to miss chances and, unfortunately, that happened here.

“Then Mihailo Ivanovic’s individual opportunistic shot hit the bar and the keeper plucked out the one from Camiel Neghli.

“So, I thought we carried a threat during the game. We had enough in the first half.

“In the second half, the only chance I can remember is Tommy Watson at the back stick. If he’s in a bit earlier, then he scores.

“They had a couple of chances in the last few minutes – but we defended brilliantly.

“We made six changes for the game, and you could see at the end that we were knackered, dead on our feet.

“So, we couldn’t muster enough to go and win the game, but if you can’t win it, don’t lose it.

“The first goal would have changed things, and we had the best opportunities, but we didn’t take them.”

Neil also pointed out that Millwall had to play 24 hours before promotion rivals Ipswich and Middlesbrough – and four days after their Easter Monday defeat to Norwich.

The Lions boss added: “I’ve said my piece on the fixtures. We’ve now played ahead of everyone else two or three times, we’re going to do it again next week.

“It’s not been helpful and you could see that among the players. It’s frustrating.”

West Brom manager James Morrison said his players were disappointed not to have won the game.

Jayson Molumby and Ousmane Diakite both went close in the closing stages.

The result leaves Albion five points clear of the bottom three – and stretches their unbeaten run to seven games.

“The occasion and the position we’re in mean that the scenes at the end would’ve been beautiful if those big chances had gone in,” said Morrison.

“It wasn’t to be but it’s another game ticked off and another positive result. We just needed that one person with a bit of quality.

“The players were disappointed that we didn’t win it towards the end. They were hungry for those three points.

“We spoke before the game about how big this was for us.”