MILLWALL were held to a draw against West Bromwich Albion in a match where they missed some big chances.
The promotion-chasing Baggies were off their game and in that context presented the perfect opponents for Neil Harris’ underdog side.
The Lions started the stronger and took the lead through Duncan Watmore, his first league goal since October. But Watmore and then Michael Obafemi missed huge chances to put the game beyond West Brom.
John Swift converted a penalty given away by Joe Bryan in the second half to get the away side level.
Harris remains unbeaten at home since returning and will know that a point against such a capable side is not a bad result.
From the start Millwall looked on it in the south-east London sunshine, looking to pounce whenever West Brom gave up possession.
They would have a penalty appeal eight minutes in when George Honeyman’s clipped cross struck the hand of Conor Townsend in the box. Referee James Bell was not interested in the appeals with the close proximity of the defender likely saving West Brom.
But the Baggies remained under pressure in the early stages and Zian Flemming would spot a gap to charge into after 16 minutes. Kyle Bartley had to cut across him and clip his heels to stop him entering the box unchallenged and the defender was booked for his troubles. The resulting free-kick came to nothing.
The Lions would take a lead just a few minutes later. Ryan Leonard plucked a low but forceful ball towards the West Brom backline that Cedric Kipre could only deflect with a desperate diving header.
Rushing through was Watmore and he calmly tucked it beyond goalkeeper Alex Palmer.
It was a deserved goal for Millwall who may not have been dominating but were far more confident, quicker in transition and were winning the lion’s share of second balls.
It should have been 2-0 not long after the opener. Leonard again pinged a beautifully-judged ball over the top, this time for Obafemi, but the striker could only flick the ball into Palmer’s gloves.
Jake Cooper had to make a last-ditch block just before half-time when the ball fell for Jed Wallace in the box, the first time the former Lions midfielder had a sniff, but otherwise timid West Brom did not really threaten before the break.
They would come on stronger at the beginning of the second half but Millwall were having the better chances and should have doubled the score again.
Flemming won the ball near the touchline, fed in Obafemi who quickly offloaded it to Watmore, with space and time in the box.
But the 30-year-old swept the shot over the bar in an effort that lacked the composure he showed with his goal.
Obafemi and Watmore, who had been linking up well in the second half, both had golden chances which they did not take and would be made to pay.
Bryan was booked just four minutes into the match for catching Grady Diangana with a late challenge and struggled against the tricky winger again. Diangana moved his feet quickly after 65 minutes and drew Bryan in for a mistimed tackle inside the box with the referee instantly pointing to the spot.
John Swift, who had come on minutes earlier while the struggling Wallace departed, dispatched the penalty and it was 1-1.
Diangana would be involved with more penalty controversy a few minutes later at the other end of the pitch. The lively Watmore charged into the West Brom box only for the 25-year-old to fly in with a sliding challenge. He appeared to win the ball but it was an untidy and awkward tackle and home fans were left aghast at the decision not going their way.
With 10 minutes to go, the game was up for grabs and with both sides in need of points at either end of the table and refreshed after the international break, you may have expected a frantic battle to break out.
But Millwall and West Brom held their cards close to their chest and it was clear that Harris and Baggies boss Carlos Corberan came to the conclusion that a point was a decent Good Friday result.
The Lions should have won really, having caught the Baggies on an off-day, but it is another point towards survival with Rotherham United up next in 72 hours.
Millwall: 4-4-1-1: Sarkic; Leonard, Tanganga, Cooper (c), Bryan (McNamara 81); Honeyman (Longman 76′), Mitchell (De Norre 89′), Saville, Watmore (Norton-Cuffy 89′); Flemming; Obafemi.
West Brom: 4-2-3-1: Palmer; Furlong, Kipre (Ajayi 73′), Bartley, Townsend; Yokuslu, Mowatt; Diangana (Phillips 81′), Wallace (Thomas-Asante 63′), Johnston (Swift 63′); Weimann (Fellows 46′).
Referee: James Bell
Attendance: 17,856 (2,004)