KENNY Jackett took the positives from Millwall’s 0-0 draw with Bristol City at The Den on Tuesday night, as the Lions edged to within three points of the Championship play-off places.

Leeds United’s defeat at Derby boosted the Lions’ play-off hopes but they were unable to take full advantage of the Yorkshire side’s slip-up by taking maximum points against the Robins.

Both sides struggled to create clear-cut opportunities throughout a poor match, with headers from Paul Robinson and Steve Morison the closest the hosts came to breaking the deadlock.

However, the Lions had keeper David Forde to thank for a fine save to deny Nicky Maynard after the forward had a one-on-one chance in the 85th minute but could only shoot straight at the on-rushing Forde.

The frustrations of a fruitless night finally told on Morison in second half stoppage time and the striker saw red for a rash challenge on Jamal Campbell-Ryce seconds before the final whistle ended a disappointing game.

However, Jackett remained upbeat after the match and was happy to have earned another point towards the Lions’ play off push.

“We’ve now taken four points from our last two home games,” said the Millwall boss.

“It would have been fantastic to take six but Bristol City are a good side and it shows how far we have come that we are disappointed we didn’t beat them.

“Bristol City started the first half well and we had to dig in.

“At half-time with the score at 0-0, I was looking for us to build up ahead of steam in the second half and to a certain degree we did that.

“We had lots of corners and put a high number of balls into the box in the second half without anyone getting on the end of them.

“It was a frustrating night because the breakthrough didn’t come and I wondered in the last five minutes if Bristol were going to get a late goal because they have a lot of ability in their side.

“But we’ve gained another point and are now three points off the play-offs, which is testament to how well we have done this season.

“We are in a good position and we have got to see this as an opportunity. It is an exciting time.”

Millwall will have to try and close the gap on the play-off places without top scorer Morison, though.

The Welsh international faces a three-game ban for his straight red card.

However, Jackett refused to criticise his talisman.

“I have no complaints about the decision,” the manager explained.

“In this day and age you can’t challenge like that, it was a red card.

“It is easy to sit here and say he shouldn’t have done it but it was a frustrating night for Steve.

“A number of decisions didn’t go his way and for that I sympathise with him.

“He was getting blocked continually by Damion Stewart all night and didn’t get anything.

“You never want to lose your top scorer, and Steve has been hugely influential for us this season, but we have other forwards at the club and now other people need to step up and take their opportunity.”

Jackett also revealed fellow striker Kevin Lisbie will be out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury, so much of the burden is likely to fall on Josh McQuoid, who started alongside Morison on Tuesday night.

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