Hendo keeps Lions in the hat (From News Shopper)

Millwall 1-1 Southampton

4:55pm Saturday 28th January 2012 in Millwall By Paul Green

DARIUS Henderson’s late equaliser earned Millwall an FA Cup replay with Southampton after the Championship duo drew at The Den this afternoon.

Saints looked to be on their way through to the fifth round draw after taking a 31st minute lead until Henderson popped up with a cool finish four minutes from time to keep Kenny Jackett’s side in the competition.

The Lions were unchanged from last weekend’s 3-1 victory at Huddersfield, although they only named five substitutes despite being able able to have up to seven in an FA Cup tie.

Southampton opted to make seven changes to their starting XI, including former Millwall loanee Jason Puncheon, who this week settled his long-standing dispute with the south coast outfit.

Liam Feeney almost gave the hosts a dream start when he got on the end of Henderson’s flick on before drilling in a second minute shot which hit the post.

Scott Barron saw a very ambitious seventh minute volley clear the bar, with the ball ending up closer to the away fans in the upper tier behind the goal than in it.

How Harry Kane didn’t convert from two yards after connecting with James Henry’s ninth minute corner is anyone’s guess.

Saints keeper Bartosz Bialkowski did well to tip over Henderson’s 17th minute volley after the Millwall striker broke into the box.

Aaron Martin’s 20th minute header from a corner hit the roof of David Forde’s net although the Lions keeper always had the situation covered, While Jimmy Abdou did well to block Lee Barnard’s drive shortly afterwards.

Dean Hammond conceded a free-kick 25 yards from goal after going in late on Kane, but James Henry placed the set piece straight at Bialkowski.

Lambert’s 28th minute free-kick from a similar distance went much closer by going only inches wide with Forde at full stretch.

It was a warning sign from the prolific goal machine because he duly put the Saints in front three minutes later by heading home Dan Harding’s cross.

Henry’s 49th minute free-kick went way over Bialkowski’s bar, while Lambert claimed without success he had been pulled back by Tony Craig in the box five minutes later.

Liam Trotter fired straight at Bialkowski in the 59th minute, while Kane’s 67th minute free-kick was deflected behind for a corner.

It was to be Kane’s final involvement as he was replaced along with Henry in a double substitution before the corner could be taken by Dany N’Guessan and Chris Hackett.

Hackett’s first kick saw him deliver the corner and it almost produced an equaliser as Tony Craig headed just over.

Milwall enjoyed a decent spell of pressure where they won a few corners in quick succession and they won a free-kick on the left of the area following a foul by Hammond on N’Guessan.

Barron played it short to Hackett but he shot over, as did Trotter from the edge of the area two minutes later.

Saints sub Lee Holmes missed two chances in a matter of seconds, first being denied by a god save from Forde before inexplicably heading off target from six yards at the back post after the loose ball was crossed back into the danger zone.

Bialkowski got down low to make a comfortable stop and keep out Hackett’s low drive from just outside of the area.

But just when it appeared as if time was running out for the Lions, they got themselves back on terms in the 86th minute Barron’s cross chested down by Henderson, who hooked the ball past a Southampton defender before shooting into the net with Bialkowski flat footed.

N’Guessan fired straight at the Saints keeper two minutes later after doing well to create space for himself in the area as Millwall went in search of a dramatic late winner.

It wasn’t to be despite three minutes of time added on but at least the Lions are still in the hat for tomorrow’s draw – deservedly so as well.

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Millwall: Forde, Smith, Ward, Craig, Barron, Henry (Hackett 67), Abdou, Trotter, Feeney, Kane (N’Guessan 67), Henderson. Subs not used: Allsop, Marquis, Wright. Att: 8,278.