Millwall boss Neil Harris believes the referee’s decision to award Fulham the decisive penalty was ‘harsh’.

Full back Conor McLaughlin was adjudged to have fouled striker Rui Fonte inside the box shortly before half-time during the host’s corner.

Referee Peter Tierney pointed to the spot and midfielder Norwood slotted it home for the home side’s first – and only – goal of the game.

He said: “I think what helps the referee give it is that Macca’s [McLaughlin] the wrong side of the player. But contact is minimal, the player [Rui Fonte] clearly throws himself at an angle on the floor to highlight the contact.

“I’m not going to sit here and moan at the ref for his decision, but I think the player’s done well to force the referee into giving it.

“I can’t fault the players on the game plan, attitude, doing exactly what I’ve asked of them. Two different styles of play, one of them was total football through the middle and the other was a little more direct. Both impacted each other at times.

“And then we get punished by a penalty right on the stroke of half-time. That probably sums us up quite where we’ve been so far. Standing ovation when we came off by the brilliant fanbase, an absolutely top draw fanbase, but we’ve got no points.”

Tom Elliott started in the place of Lee Gregory for the trip west to Craven Cottage, and challenged goalkeeper David Button after deliveries into the box by Shane Ferguson.

George Saville connected with the post and narrowly equalised for the Lions, but it was not to be as they have still not won away from home in ten outings.

Millwall are now five points above the relegation zone, and Harris is aware of what it takes to survive in the second-tier.

He added: “Where we need to improve is those little moments of quality when we get in those tight areas, where we need to anticipate in the penalty area. And we will. We have to keep improving, we have to keep trying to build and add to the squad with quality players.

“They are key moments and that’s the difference in the levels where we are at the moment. The lower half, or lower third, of this level [Sky Bet Championship] compared to the top third. Those are real moments of quality.”