Huddersfield hold Lions

Huddersfield's play-off semi-final with Millwall remains in the balance following a goalless first leg.

Millwall controversially denied two penalties

Huddersfield's League One play-off semi-final with Millwall remains in the balance following a goalless first leg at the Galpharm Stadium. Lee Clark's Terriers came out on top in the meeting between the sides less than a month ago but were perhaps fortunate to emerge with a draw on this occasion after Millwall controversially had two penalty appeals turned down. Huddersfield set the early pace but the main discussion point from the opening 45 minutes was the first confident shout for a spot-kick from Millwall after a Scott Barron shot struck Peter Clarke's arms, which were raised above his head. Referee Darren Deadman waved play on and Huddersfield tried to make the most of their reprieve by carving out a number of chances before the interval. Jordan Rhodes spurned one opportunity to break the deadlock after good work by Lee Novak down the right, with Paul Robinson covering magnificently to ensure the prolific striker blazed his effort over the crossbar. Goalkeeper David Forde then dived low to his right to tip a curling free-kick from Danny Drinkwater round his post as Millwall weathered a sustained period of pressure. The Lions pressed forward at the start of the second period but appeals for a penalty again fell on deaf ears after Clarke appeared to clip the heels of a rampaging Barron. The ball was finally in the back of the net just after the hour mark but the goal was quickly disallowed as Deadman correctly spotted that Neil Harris had turned a Barron corner in with his hand. Huddersfield had a goal of their own chalked off moments later when Novak was flagged offside before striking powerfully home. Both sides continued to hunt for a winner as the game stretched from end to end in the closing stages, but the stalemate continued to leave the tie tantalisingly poised going into Tuesday's return leg.