Millwall 1 Reading 0

Last updated : 28 August 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Danny Dichio scored his third goal in three games as Millwall scrapped three points out of play-off contenders Reading.

Dichio managed to head in from close range ten minutes from time after Darren Ward had flicked on David Livermore's free-kick.

And it proved, after the excitement of Friday's UEFA Cup draw against Ferencvaros, the Lions are Hungary for success in the league with their fourth clean sheet of the campaign.

The Lions started strongly and had three chances to go ahead in the first five minutes, beginning when Adrian Serioux's trademark monster throw bounced off the head of Darren Ward to go wide of the post.

Then Dichio should have done better with another Serioux throw which fell at the striker's feet, before Livermore drew Marcus Hahnemann into his first save of the match.

Serioux, who has made it clear he wants to be known for his footballing ability rather than his freak throws, was indispensable in his role as holding midfielder and was also at the centre of many of Milwall's attacks.

But he very nearly lost it for Millwall in the 78th minute when he gave the ball away in his own box after Graham Stack could only parry Nicky Forster's shot.

Reading came out of hiding 12 minutes into the match when Glen Little was left unmarked at the far post, but headed wide.

Then Forster was unlucky not to put Reading ahead on 24 minutes when his attempted lob over keeper Stack flew wide of the goalmouth.

McCammon had the ball in the net midway through the first half when he headed in his manager Dennis Wise's free-kick, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Five minutes before the break David Kitson was left alone to blast goalward from 15 yards, but Lions keeper Stack pulled off a point blank save to keep it out of the net.

Dichio came close just after the break, as Wise whipped in a corner to meet the striker's head, but he ballooned his effort over the bar.

Ward almost doubled the Lions lead with four minutes on the clock but was denied by Hahnemann's hand.