MILLWALL manager Kenny Jackett lamented his team’s over-zealous attacking play and a controversial penalty decision for last night’s 2-1 Den defeat to Blackburn Rovers.
The Lions were dominant in the first half and looked good value for their lead when defender Karleigh Osborne slotted a tidy finish home from close range on 14 minutes gone.
However, it was a completely different story after the break, with the Lions struggling to deal with a Blackburn side who forced their way back into the game.
Within 11 minutes of the restart Wigan Athletic loanee David Jones sent a curling corner into the Millwall box, which squeezed its way into the goal just inside David Forde’s near post.
Deflated from conceding, the Lions then gave the visitors the chance to take control.
And with 12 minutes remaining, Grant Hanley galloped unchallenged down the left and burst into the box, where his theatrical tumble decieved referee Gavin Ward to earn his side a controversial penalty.
The spot-kick was coolly dispatched by hit-man Jordan Rhodes, who notched up his 25th league goal of the campaign and ensured Blackburn edged their way closer to Championship football next season.
And Millwall’s miserable night was capped when Danny Shittu was given a second yellow card for dissent just after the final whistle was blown.
Lions boss Jackett was far from happy with Jones’ equaliser.
He said: “The game ebbed and flowed but for the first half an hour we started it very well.
“I thought Blackburn came into it strongly later and Dunn was very influential, but it was disappointing for their first goal. “That shouldn’t happen.
“It’s a very, very poor goal to concede.
“I’m disappointed tonight because we got on an even keel after a good spell from us and a good spell from them.
“It was 1-1 and we should’ve seen it through.”
Jackett added: “Ultimately we’ve gone chasing the win and got broken on and that’s what happened with the second goal - we went too gung ho.
“It was a good run, I accept that, but he (Hanley) shouldn’t power through like that from one end to the other. It’s poor.”
The Millwall manager also questioned the decision to award Blackburn a penalty.
“I feel for my centre-half because I’ve seen the penalty decision and there certainly wasn’t any contact,” said Jackett.
“Sometimes those decisions go for you, sometimes they don’t.
“They’re thin dividing lines in this division, but ultimately it was a soft penalty and a very big call.”
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