Neil Harris felt his Millwall side should have had a penalty in today’s 2-0 home defeat at the hands of promotion-chasing Watford.

The Lions were denied what looked a blatant penalty in the 16th minute when Ed Upson appeared to be pushed inside the box.

Referee Simon Hooper was having none of it, however, and although philosophical about the controversial decision afterwards, Harris was in no doubt the man in the middle had called it wrong.

The interim boss said: “I think it is about as clear cut a penalty as you are going to see.

“At the time I thought it was a stonewall penalty and having seen it back a few times it is clear to see that Ed is between the ball and the player.

“The player makes an honest challenge for the ball but clatters through Ed first without getting near the ball so it is a penalty.

“That probably changes the swing of the game but it has happened. When you are in the bottom you don’t always get decisions like that.”

Harris added: “I haven’t seen the referee yet. The referee has got a difficult job and has to give decisions straight away.

“We got on with it, that is not what cost us the game a decision like that.

“It might have helped us if we had got the decision and scored first. It doesn’t necessarily mean the result would have been any different.

“I thought it was a penalty. I asked Keith Hill the fourth official on the side if it was a penalty and to ask the referee why.

“He thought maybe Ed went down slightly too easy.

“Having seen it back it is clear to see that he hasn’t but I can be calm now because he didn’t give it and we can’t change it.”

Watford broke the deadlock ten minutes later as Ikechi Anya picked out Matej Vydra just outside of the area and his powerfully struck volley gave David Forde no chance.

And Harris was suitably impressed by the finish.

“I thought it was an outstanding goal,” the Lions supremo said.

“As an ex-striker I thought it was a great finish by a good player.”

The advantage was doubled 11 minutes into the second half by Adlene Guedioura, who was ideally placed to convert from Anya’s pass.

Millwall remain seven points from safety but Harris accepted the Hornets had got what they deserved and backed them to win automatic promotion.

He explained: “I’m pleased in a lot of senses, I thought between both penalty areas we were outstanding.

“I was really pleased and everything that we are asking for they gave us again, which is so important.

“The difference that was clear to see was the quality in the final third and in the penalty area.

“I think there was a difference and that’s why a lot of the Watford players will be gracing the Premier League next year with the club.”

Next up on Tuesday evening is another home game against fellow strugglers Wigan, with Harris the first to accept it is all about results now.

He said: “We are at the stage where we need to win some games of football quickly.

“I think we are at the stage where we’ve come this far and we can say let’s give everything we’ve got to keep improving but it gets to the stage where you’ve got to start winning games. I think that starts on Tuesday (v Wigan).

“It is a huge game for our football club and it will be a challenging evening, but certainly one we will look forward to after a decent performance but without the end product today.”

Harris added: “It is the biggest game in a long time because it is the next one.

“The position we are in is difficult but we can only approach one game at a time.

“Today was a really big challenge for us against a top Watford side.

“Wigan will bring different challenges because the position both clubs are in it is almost certainly a game you don’t want to lose.

“It is a game we are certainly desperate to win.”

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