Lions held by Rams in Den stalemate (From News Shopper)

Millwall 0-0 Derby County

4:57pm Saturday 11th February 2012 in Football By Paul Green

IT was a frustrating afternoon at a freezing Den as Millwall were held to a scoreless draw by Derby County.

Manager Kenny Jackett admitted after Tuesday’s 3-2 FA Cup success at Southampton it would be difficult to change the starting XI, but it didn’t stop him making a trio of alterations.

As expected, back came skipper Paul Robinson from injury to replace Daren Ward, with Shane Lowry and Darius Henderson getting the nod in favour of Tony Craig and Dany N’Guessan.

Of the three dropped players, only N’Guessan made the bench.

James Henry had the first shot on goal although he placed his long range effort way over in the third minute.

Millwall were awarded a free-kick just outside of the Derby area moments later after Liam Trotter was tripped by Nathan Tyson but Darius Henderson fired the set piece straight at the Rams’ wall.

Paul Green headed behind Trotter’s right-wing cross for a corner despite there being no Millwall players anywhere near him, while Josh Wright saw his 14th minute volley go miles over the bar.

Ryan Mason broke into the box three minutes later after evading a couple of challenges but fell over as he entered the area and the chance was gone.

Derby should have gone in front midway through the first half when Wright gifted them the ball but Callum Ball dragged his low shot wide of the target from inside of the box.

Robinson had to put behind Green’s 26th minute cross for a corner to prevent Tyson connecting with the delivery as the visitors again went close.

But it was Robinson who came closest to breaking the deadlock at the other end when he headed agonisingly wide from henry’s corner.

Jamie Ward’s poor pass was capitalised on by Henry but the Lions winger fired his eventual cross over.

How Derby didn’t take the lead on 36 minutes remains a mystery after Ward’s long range drive was pushed out by David Forde to Craig Bryson.

But with the goal at his mercy, Bryson somehow managed to place his shot wide from five yards despite having the goal at his mercy.

Ryan Mason and Henry both saw long range efforts go off target, while Trotter picked up a yellow card for a challenge on Jason Shackell.

Robinson made a crucial 42nd minute tackle just inside the area to deny Tyson,and Josh Wright became the second Lion to be cautioned after tripping Tyson as Derby launched a quick counter attack from a Millwall corner.

Jackett made one change at the break by introducing Liam Feeney for Kane.

Tom Carroll volleyed over in the 49th minute while Wright’s shot three minutes later ended up nearer the corner flag than Frank Fielding’s goal.

Derby had a luck escape as Scott Barron broke into their box and picked out Henderson, whose shot was saved by Fielding before Trotter tried to follow up, only to be denied again by the Rams stopper.

Henry placed his 25 yard shot over the bar, much to the obvious annoyance of the Millwall fans, so it was no surprise to see him taken off for Andy Keogh moments later.

Trotter headed just wide from Feeney’s 68th minute corner and jacket made his third and final change nine minutes later by replacing Wright with Jack Smith.

Barron fired wildly over from 25 yards and Dunne placed his volley from the edge of the area behind as the clock ran down.

There were four minutes added on, not exactly what anyone needed in this freezing weather.

Keogh headed over from Feeney’s cross but a point apiece was probably a fair outcome from a game that will not exactly live long in the memory.

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Millwall: Forde, Dunne, Robinson, Lowry, Barron, Henry (Keogh 66), Trotter, Wright (Smith 77), Mason, Henderson, Kane (Feeney 46). Subs not used: Allso, N’Guessan. Att: 10,069.