Pearson: An Opportunity Missed

Substitute Chris Taylor tapped in the game’s only goal halfway through the second half in south-east London, giving Kenny Jackett’s Lions a win that propels them into the npower Championship’s top six.

City remain a point ahead of them in fifth but, after leaders Cardiff City and second-placed Crystal Palace slipped up, could have made up valuable ground in the promotion race with a victory.

“That was a good opportunity missed today,” Pearson said post-match.

“In the first half we caused them quite a few problems, we were unlucky with a few situations that didn’t fall for us. But we conceded a poor goal from a free-kick in our own half where we haven’t tracked runners. That’s what I was most disappointed with.

“We should have got something out of the game. Even though they started the second half better, you don’t get many better opportunities to come away with three points than we did today.”

Millwall’s uncompromising, direct style has been successful of late, with Jackett’s men suffering just one defeat in their last 15 games.

But Pearson felt his players generally dealt with the challenges put their way, only to succumb to an avoidable winner.

“They (Millwall) are what they are – they’re on honest group that play percentage football and, for the most part, our lads dealt with it very well. We just had an occasion for the goal where we haven’t tracked runners.

“When we’ve had opportunities to hurt them it hasn’t fallen for us.

“Against a direct side, we gave away an awful lot of height, but we coped with it well. We just didn’t quite turn promising positions into goal-scoring opportunities because the final ball didn't have enough quality.

“We had a good go at it again today, but the players are disappointed because we have more quality than that.”

City return to action at King Power Stadium next Saturday when they host leaders Cardiff City (kick-off 3pm).