Millwall boss Ian Holloway lauded summer signing Lee Gregory as the striker’s goal sealed all three points at Brighton on Friday night.

Gregory signed for the Lions in the summer from Halifax Town, and he was the quickest to react on 15 minutes as Magaye Gueye’s shot deflected and broke loose in the Seagull’s box. Gregory lifted the ball over David Stockdale in the Brighton goal to notch his fourth of the season.

Millwall defended well throughout, reducing their hosts to mainly speculative efforts. Brighton’s Darren Bent seemed isolated, but he had his side’s best chance, finding the side netting from an acute angle early in the second half.

Gregory proved to be the match winner and Holloway was full of praise for the Non-League find, while feeling there may have been some luck in the build-up to the goal.

“It’s either the best disguised pass I’ve ever seen, or the worst shot. I’m not sure, from Magaye,“ Holloway said.

“But Gregory does what Gregory does. He’s been a revelation, he’s caught up with full-time players. He’s from three divisions down. He cost me £250,000, it’s the best £250,000 I’ve ever spent.

“I’m so proud for him and pleased for him. I believe he can easily be a cult hero here, because we like an underdog. Quite rightly.”

The South London side frustrated their hosts, causing the home crowd to turn on their side and some to call for their manager Sami Hyypia’s head. 

Holloway appeared sympathetic for his opposite number’s plight, having seen been under pressure himself this week since the 5-1 defeat by Middlesbrough.

“You try playing in this division,” said Holloway of Hyypia’s difficulties.

“Its like a circus. Who’s next? You (the media) take great glee in putting pressure on everybody. But there you go, it’s not a circus. it’s football. This is a fantastic division. Anybody can beat anybody.”

Millwall needed a big response from last week’s humiliation and Holloway was delighted his team provided it.

“Magnificent. What a comeback. What character. We got a lot of things wrong on Saturday. I did, the team did.

“It all goes down to performance and believing in yourselves. We lost that belief at the start of the second half because we did a few things wrong. 

“We kicked it too long, we dropped off the play and then kicked it so there was too much space but we managed to settle down.”

“Onwards and upwards. Let’s see if we can get two in a row. I wonder where that will be and what people will say then. You never know what’s going to happen in this game.”

Holloway felt his team’s results had not reflected their determination and performances in the last few weeks. 

“Delighted for everybody today, because over recent weeks I don’t feel we’ve got what we deserve,” he explained.

“Apart from last Saturday against Middlesborough, and they hammered us. 

“Today we weren’t hammered. I thought we played really well and i thought we deserved the points.”

Danny Shittu was impressive in central defence and Holloway also singled the captain out for praise.

“Magnificent. Immense. What more can I say? Don’t need to say anymore, do I?” he said.

“Once we got in front, we proved we can defend.”

The win was Millwall’s first since beating Cardiff at home in late October, and Holloway hopes this can be the start of a good run for his side.

“My team have done me proud ever since I’ve been here. 

“We climbed out of relegation with eight games left, let’s see if we can build and get to the other end of this table. 

“If we don’t get what we want, let’s keep fighting and working.”

The Lions next face Bolton Wanderers at The Den on Friday. 

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