Neil Harris is refusing to accept Millwall are already down after last night’s 0-0 Den draw with Brighton left them eight points from safety.

The Lions enjoyed a few decent spells of pressure in what was a largely forgettable game but were unable to make the breakthrough which could have raised belief an unlikely escape act is on the cards.

With just eight games left to play, the odds would suggest Millwall are doomed for another spell in League One.

But caretaker manager Harris was having none of that defeatist talk following the Seagulls scrap.

He explained: “You have to start somewhere and being the best team in the second half on Saturday and being on top for long spells tonight is a good start.

“We need to add to that a little more quality in the final third and the bottom line is we need to win games of football quickly.

“You cannot accept relegation, we as a club will not accept that and I will not let the players accept that.

“Yes, we’re in a difficult position, but we have games to win, performances, contracts to be earned by players and a fan-base that demand we keep going and going.”

Millwall’s dreadful home form this season is the main reason for their current struggles, although at least night there was some obvious spirit on display.

Harris said: “Sometimes you lose games of football, of course you do, but it is how you lose.

“And that is really important at this club.

“I was not always the best player on the pitch when I played here, but I wore my heart on my sleeve.

“We have a group of players like that – that is all we’re asking.”

He added: “I enjoyed being on the sideline, I can only ask so much of the players and if they follow a game plan, that is a small area of success.

“Now they’ve done that, and shown they can do that, that has got to be the least they show in every game – the belief, desire and attitude, the ability to keep clean sheet – now we’ve got to demand goals.”

Harris was also asked if he would like the role full-time but was reluctant to speculate, instead preferring to concentrate on the here and now.

He said: “Everyone is relaxed with my position – we’re in a mini season.

“Do I enjoy it, will I like it, can I do it and am I cut out for it?

“I want to be here in the long-term working for the club.

“There are no promises either way, I am just here helping out the players to perform at The Den because they have struggled of late.

“I want to give them that belief and know-how of how to please those fans and then we have a great chance of winning games.”

Harris couldn’t fault the Brighton display but admitted Millwall lack a cutting edge.

He said: “The boys could not give me any more apart from a goal.

“Talk about Millwall spirit, attitude, desire, work ethic, team spirit - it was all evident in that performance.

“Maybe we lacked a little creativity in the final third definitely.

“It looks like we are searching for that first goal to really kick-start us.

“You saw the fans identified with a Millwall team, and that is all we’re trying to do is put a team out there that gives the fans what they want and be effective, and the fans’ backing of the players and the support they gave was terrific.

“We’re just trying to give the players a little bit of belief, give the basics to tell them this is how we need to play to get the fans back onside.

“If you do this then they will support you. “

Harris added: “They are trying to do what we ask of them, so that is a huge plus.

“Why has it not worked before?

“I don’t know, but it goes to show they can perform like that and put in a performance.

“The league table does not lie, we are in a tough position and games are running out.

“We know that and you saw with our subs that we tried to win the game in the second half.”

Follow us on Twitter @NewsShopperSprt