Millwall 0 Blackpool 0

Last updated : 02 September 2006 By Footymad Previewer
Millwall stretched their unbeaten home run at the start of their first season under Nigel Spackman with a goalless draw to a Blackpool side who picked up their first point on the road.

It was the home side that settled the quicker of the two and started to get into their neat style of passing from the start.

Neal Ardley, playing as a defensive midfielder looked to stamp his authority on the game from the start and allowed Marvin Elliot and Derek McInnes the freedom to move forward at will.

Indeed it was a ball through from the Millwall skipper McInnes that sent the lively Marvin Williams through on goal, but the flying winger was denied by a superbly timed tackle from Paul Tierney as he closed in on the goal.

Blackpool's Ian Evatt had a start to forget when he was booked after just 15 minutes for a reckless challenge on Elliott and then just minutes later played a suicidal back pass which Williams was quick to pounce on.

The Millwall youngster was only denied by an excellent save at his feet by the on rushing Rhys Evans in the Blackpool goal, who noticed the danger early and was off his line in a flash.

Blackpool had chances of their own and when Chris Day flapped at a routine cross there was panic in the home defence with Kiegan Parker, a late replacement for Wesley Hoolahan who injured his hamstring in the warm-up, lurking, but Robinson was on hand to thump the ball clear.

Evatt again was involved again after 25 minutes when he almost turned Elliot's low drive across the box into own net as Millwall started to control the game.

Kevin Braniff almost broke the deadlock on the half-hour when he headed Filipe Morais' excellent corner over Evans only to see the back bounce off the top of the bar and go behind for a goal kick.

Blackpool had the best chance of the game after the break when Millwall keeper Day parried Parker's shot and Scott Vernon was on hand, but could only to slice his shot wide from six yards.

But in a game of few chances it was the defences who came out on top during the second period, ensuring that a dour game ended goalless.