Millwall 0-0 Scunthorpe: Dogged Iron hold Lions in play-off semi-final

Millwall were held to a goalless draw by a dogged Scunthorpe side in the first leg of their Sky Bet League One play-off semi-final on Thursday night.

Neil Harris' side were in charge for the entirety of the game at The Den, but struggled to create many clear-cut chances as Scunthorpe set up to frustrate them from the off.

The tie remains finely poised heading into the second leg at Glanford Park on Sunday as the two sides continue their duel for a place in the final at Wembley on Saturday, May 20.

It was Millwall who dominated throughout the first half and they should have taken the lead after 26 minutes as Lee Gregory was played in by Jed Wallace, but the striker, who scored 17 goals in the league this season, couldn't beat Joe Anyon in the Scunthorpe goal.

Millwall continued to bombard the Scunthorpe defence throughout the second half, but the away defence held up well to the, largely aerial, attack and they struggled to carve out any real chances.

Not that Scunthorpe had much intent to attack themselves, with a Josh Morris free-kick with 10 minutes to go, that was comfortably saved by Jordan Archer in the Millwall goal, just about the closest they came.

There was a late blow for the Iron, however, who look set to lose captain Stephen Dawson for the second leg, after having his hand accidentally stamped on by Millwall's Tony Craig.

Millwall boss Neil Harris:

"I think we were the better team over the 90 minutes. We did everything in the first half other than get the goal. I think myself and Graham [Alexander] both knew it was going to be blood and thunder and 100 miles per hour. We just couldn't find the breakthrough and it's all square going into the next game. I'm not disappointed with that at all.

"[Scunthorpe] worked extremely hard and both teams had really good shape. We had a clear intention to try and win the game and I thought we won the battle for long periods. Lee Gregory had the best opportunity but [couldn't take it].

"The onus will be on Scunthorpe in the second leg to come out and attack us a little bit more. But we're certainly capable of scoring goals away from home."

Scunthorpe boss Graham Alexander:

"We know nothing is done in the first leg. It was a game that both teams looked to try and win but it's also about not losing as well. I don't think it was the prettiest game to watch, and we had to be determined to confront what they pushed upon us.

"Millwall are a good side and they put us under pressure. You have to keep your shape and discipline and I thought we did that really well.

"It was a solid team performance, everyone put a lot into the game and that contributed to the stalemate and the clean sheet. We knew chances would be at a premium and if we could have got one it would have been great, but the game is not over yet."