Wednesday’s roller coaster ride to try to keep our place in the Championship took a positive spin this afternoon with a hard-earned 2-0 win at Millwall.
Two goals in a ten-minute spell during the first half saw us to victory, taking us back to within four points of safety with 13 games still to play and, at the same time, bringing us closer to a clutch of clubs who are now within striking distance … if we can continue the recent upsurge in form.
Neither side created an effort of note in the first half hour before our quickfire double strike rocked a Millwall team already short on confidence as they searched for a first win since New Year’s Day.
Anthony Musaba was the architect of our opener on 32 minutes, bursting clear down the left before delivering an excellent low cross into the six-yard box which Ike Ugbo swept home at the far post.
Millwall hit back with a low 25-yarder from Ryan Leonard which was saved by James Beadle before Musaba turned from goal provider to goalscorer soon afterwards.
Barry Bannan sent the frontman clear with a trademark through ball and he fired across keeper Majita Sarkic into the far corner of the net.
At that stage, with Bannan and Ian Poveda pulling the strings in midfield, the home crowd were quick to voice their disapproval at what they were seeing.
Millwall showed a little more energy in the second half, Beadle saving from a Zian Flemming header and Di’Shon Bernard clearing a Duncan Watmore effort from almost on the line, but their chances were few and far between.
We hardly threatened in the second half, largely defending what we had, before we were reduced to 10 men when sub Ashley Fletcher got himself booked and then sent off within the space of two minutes in added time.
Fletcher, who came on 10 minutes from time, received a yellow card for kicking the ball away and then almost immediately was sent off for a foul on Ryan Longman, bringing him a second yellow and the red card.
However, the 10 men of Wednesday managed to play out the remaining five added minutes without conceding and so give added hope in the fight to avoid an instant return to division one after our second victory in three games.
Beadle, Valentin, Palmer, Ihiekwe, Bernard, Johnson, Vaulks (B Diaby 78), Bannan (Fletcher 78), Poveda (M Diaby 77), Musaba (Gassama 61), Ugbo (Smith 67). Unused subs: Charles, James, Siquera, Wilks. Attendance: 17,041.