Millwall 0 Shrewsbury Town 1 - Report and pictures

Analysis

Louis Dodds' first-half strike was enough to secure a victory which, while not enough to lift them off the foot of League One, did see them cut the gap to safety to two points.

Goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler made several key saves, while both Adam Al-Abd and Jim O'Brien cleared off the line as Millwall laid siege to the Town goal.

Harry Smith and Tony Craig also squandered glorious chances to equalise in the closing stages, as the visitors claimed a precious three points.

It was when Craig's header, from no more than four yards out, sailed wide of the post in stoppage time that Town boss Paul Hurst probably felt this was to be his side's day.

There can be no disguising the fact they rode their luck on route to a sixth clean sheet in eight games. Millwall supporters left the ground wondering just how their team had failed to score. Yet this performance was also the best example yet of the spirit and desire Hurst has been able to instill in Town over recent weeks.

Victory might not enough have been enough to lift them off the bottom but it means they are heading into a testing festive schedule far better placed than many would have expected.

Hurst made just one change to the team which drew 0-0 with Fleetwood last time out, with Abu Ogogo making an instant return to the starting XI after serving a three-match ban, replacing Ian Black.

The extent of Millwall boss Neil Harris' attacking options was highlighted by the fact nine-goal striker Aiden O'Brien could only manage a place on the bench.

Smith and Lee Gregory were instead preferred up front. The latter must surely have thought he had bagged his eighth of the season to put the Lions ahead on 16 minutes, when he brought down a Shaun Williams long ball with one touch and with the second sent the ball rolling beyond the advancing Leutwiler towards goal.

But Al-Abd was able to recover and hack clear before it crossed the line, an intervention which proved a key moment as Town took the lead less than 60 seconds later.

For all their attacking prowess, Millwall also possess one of the division's leakiest defences and they looked all at sea as Dodds was afforded acres of space before slotting home Ivan Toney's pass for his fifth goal of the season.

It was also Town's first goal in four games and provided an advantage they held onto with considerable determination and, admittedly, a little fortune.

On three occasions before half-time Millwall thought they had breached the visiting defences only to be repelled. First, Leutwiler saved Smith's header at point blank range, before then tipping over a wicked deflection off the knee of Al-Abd which looked destined to loop over his head.

From the resulting corner, Tony Craig's header had the keeper beaten all ends up, only for O'Brien to be perfectly positioned to hack off the line.

More defending was required in the second half as the hosts continued to push. Leutwiler denied Gregory after a sweeping move, while Smith fired over from just six yards and Craig missed from even closer in as Town held on for a vital three points.

Key moments

16 - Brilliant defending from Adam Al-Abd denied Millwall an opener. The defender gets back to clear Lee Gregory's shot off the line after the striker brings down a long pass and beats Leutwiler.

17 - GOAL. Town lead. Toney and Dodds combine for Salop's first goal in four games, the latter slotting into the bottom corner past Archer in the Lions' goal.

23 - Ryan McGivern's intervenes to rob Onyedinma when the winger was through on goal. Seconds later, Leutwiler saves Smith's close range header.

34 - A brilliant save from Leutwiler prevents an equaliser. Al-Abd's deflection from Ferguson's cross looked to be heading over the keeper but he tips over.

35 - Off the line! Tony Craig thinks he has levelled for the hosts but O'Brien is there to clear his header off the line.

47 A key block from Abu Ogogo denies Gregory after the striker latches on to a Smith flick-on.

70 - Substitute Aiden O'Brien pulls a shot wide of goal after advancing into the box.

75 - Leutwiler is called into his first serious action of the second half. Saving a Lee Gregory shot after a sharp move from the hosts.

77 - Leutwiler to the rescue again. Ferguson's inswinger looks certain to be headed home by Smith at the far post but the keeper spreads himself to save.

86 - Smith squanders a glorious chance to equalise when he prods over from six yards out.

90 - Craig wastes an even better opportunity when he nods wide from close range.

Teams

Millwall (4-4-2): Archer, Romeo, Craig (c), Nelson (Butcher 73), Martin (O'Brien 62), Onyedinma (Worrall 83), Williams, Thompson, Ferguson, Gregory, Smith Subs not used: Cummings, Mbulu, Abdou, King (gk).

Town (4-4-2): Leutwiler, Smith, Al-Abd (c), Sadler, McGivern (Grimmer 67), O'Brien, Ogogo, Deegan, Brown, Dodds (Riley 90), Toney Subs not used: Lancashire, Black, Waring, Ebanks-Blake, Halstead (gk).

Position in the table

Bottom, 18 points.