Millwall End Rams' Run

Goals from Steve Morison and Theo Robinson gave Millwall a straight forward victory over Derby County at The New Den to break their six game unbeaten run. Morison chipped Frank Fielding after only eleven minutes to give his side the lead and although The Rams fought back to dominate the closing stages of the half they couldn`t find a way back before the break. Millwall struck early in the second period when Robinson headed firmly past Fielding to secure the victory, again Nigel Clough`s side had the better of the possession but with Millwall defending resolutely they struggled to carve out any clear cut chances and despite the introduction of Tomasz Cywka and Luke Moore they failed to hit the target and fell to a two goal defeat.

Robbie Savage and Shefki Kuqi returned to the starting line-up after having a rest in midweek in place of Luke Moore and Tomasz Cywka respectively as The Rams looked to continue their recent run of form. Millwall looked to make the early running and stop their visitors from getting their passing game going and they took the lead eleven minutes in when Steve Morison chipped a lovely finish over Frank Fielding in the Derby goal after collecting the ball twenty yards from goal.

The bright start continued and Alan Dunne squandered a great chance to increase the lead on eighteen minutes before Derby had got going, their only real moments of danger coming from crosses from Robbie Savage and Alberto Bueno that looked to pick out Shefki Kuqi but David Forde dealt with them well in the home goal. Dean Moxey forced Forde into a save with ten minutes remaining in the half as the keeper turned his long range effort around the post and Danny Shittu blocked a Kris Commons shot on the stroke of halftime after some neat build-up play.

Millwall came out of the blocks quickly again at the start of the second period and doubled their lead only four minutes after the break, a cross from Morison on the right picked out Theo Robinson and he headed powerfully past Fielding from six yards giving the young keeper no chance. Derby were struggling to a get a foothold in the match and Clough introduced Luke Moore and Tomasz Cywka in place of Savage and Bueno to try and gain fresh impetus and find a way back.

Shaun Barker got his head to a Cywka corner with twenty minutes to play but he couldn`t direct his header on target and, despite dominating possession, The Rams were not able to create chances with the frequency they have over the last few games with Millwall sitting deep and denying them room in the final third. John Brayford had a half chance when the ball broke to his feet inside the area but Forde was off his line well to claim at the feet of the fullback and the home side saw out the closing stages without any scares to claim the victory and end The Rams` unbeaten run.

Millwall: Forde, Dunne, P Robinson, Trotter, Schofield, Henry (Hackett 90), Barron, Mkandawire, Morison, T Robinson (Abdou 77), Shittu (Ward 78)

Subs: Mildenhall, Craig, Lisbie, Marquis

Derby County: Fielding, Brayford, Barker, Leacock, Moxey (Roberts 87), Bailey, Savage (Cywka 63), Green, Commons, Bueno (Moore 63), Kuqi

Subs: Atkins, Anderson, Doyle, Pringle

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