Nottm Forest 3 Millwall 3

Last updated : 26 April 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Nottingham Forest clinched a place in the play-offs despite being held to a 3-3 draw by Millwall at the City Ground.

The game started at a steady pace but the deadlock was broken in the 18th minute when Eugen Bopp crossed for Eoin Jess to hammer home a shot past Tony Warner.

Four minutes later goal provider became goalscorer as David Johnson kept the ball in play deep on the right. His cross found Bopp 16 yards out and the German’s shot took a deflection off Millwall's Tony Craig before it nestled in the back of the net.

Millwall fought back and when the ball broke free to Stuart Nethercott, the Lions captain smashed his shot past Darren Ward in the Forest goal.

Just before half time Marlon Harewood missed a great chance as he fired Andrew Reid’s pin-point cross inches wide.

With no travelling Millwall fans, a capacity crowd of 29,463 watched a complacent Forest side try to hang on to the three points as they looked to secure a play-off place.

The visitors had nothing at stake but played with great passion and Nethercott burst into the box only to scuff his shot inches wide.

Millwall did strike back when awarded a free-kick on the edge of the Forest box in the 67th minute - Australian Tim Cahill drilling his shot home.

This brought Forest to life as Johnson scored his 27th goal of the season as he deflected Jess' powerful shot home.

However, Millwall refused to surrender and with three minutes to go Andy Roberts found Neil Harris who smashed his shot past Ward.

However, with Ipswich losing, a point was enough to secure a play-off place for Paul Hart’s side.