Millwall earned a point against fellow strugglers QPR in what was an anti-climactic London Derby as both teams failed to get on the scoresheet.

Here are five things we learned…

Alex Pearce Continues to Perform

Neil Harris has a knack for signing gems on loan in the January transfer window and it is fair to say that Alex Pearce is another one of those gems.

The central defender breathes experience and has slotted in seamlessly into Millwall’s back four. He has started eight games since arriving from Derby and since, the Lions have only conceded eight goals and kept four clean sheets.

There was a moment against QPR on Wednesday night which really epitomised his importance to the side. QPR striker, Matt Smith was running directly at him looking to tee up Nahki Wells for a tap in, Pearce held his own jockeyed him down the flank and when the time was right he steam rolled into him to put the ball out for a throw in. If that was not enough, he gave a roar of appreciation to himself that was heard from the Press box.

If you knew nothing about Millwall, you would watch and believe that he is a player that has well over 100 appearances for the club. He is one of the few players who understands what it means to play for Millwall, and I will be surprised if he isn’t signed on a permanent deal in the summer.

READ: Millwall's Harris felt aggrieved after QPR's Lynch 'fouled' Gregory

Dave Martin Has Forgotten About Brighton

The goalkeepers Millwall career looked set to be defined by that 88th minute FA Cup quarter-final blunder against Brighton. However, since the veteran keeper has kept three clean sheets in four games.

Many would agree that he produced a man of the match performance against QPR on Wednesday night. On countless occasions he showed his courage. Sweeping up on half chances, diving over players heads to claim crosses and an unbelievable one-on-one save against Bright Osayi-Samuel really summed up his evening.

Neil Harris described the keepers heroics as showing his “leadership, experience, calmness and bravery”, leading many to believe that that blunder is well and truly behind him.

Referee Main Man

For a night with very little chances, the referee stole the lime-light with a few questionable decisions.

The first half witnessed five yellow cards and all for the wrong challenges. Ryan Tunnicliffe was clattered into by Josh Scowen, no card. Lee Gregory looked to be through on goal before Joe Lynch clipped his heals, no card. Even Ryan Leonard did he usual lunge off the ground which wiped out Luongo and still no card.

However, Ben Marshall’s tripping on Luongo well into QPR’s half warranted a yellow. So did Ryan Tunnicliffe’s ball winning challenge on Matt Smith. The referee got it wrong, in so many ways.

There was no surprise that the tunnel had to escorted down the tunnel at half-time as both sets of fans made their dissatisfaction very clear.

READ: Report: Millwall 0-0 QPR - Referee provides talking points

READ: Millwall 0-0 QPR: Player ratings

A Point Gained Rather Than Two Dropped

Neil Harris argued in the post-match presser that it was a point gained rather than two dropped tonight despite Millwall being favorites to secure a victory against a side who have only one victory to their name since December.

However, the results elsewhere in the table favored the Lions manager’s comments as Reading, Rotherham and Wigan also failed to gain a win. At half-time however, the results witnessed Millwall drop into the relegation zone which created an eerie atmosphere within the ground.

With that said, the point gained has opened up a two point gap between themselves and the relegation zone. It may be marginal, but three of Millwall’s five remaining games are at home and if they can reproduce the same rigidness seen in their last previous two games, it could be the dragged out 0-0 draws that will make the difference come May.

The Lions are relishing the Sheffield United Clash

The Lions will face promotion chasing Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday, and Neil Harris revealed that his side are relishing the challenge against what he described as the best team to come to The Den this season.

The reverse fixture was emphatic, with Sheffield United just inching victory through a 88th minute winner to end the match 3-2. The Lions have a good scoring record against the top six in the league, notching 15 goals against them in only nine games.

It will be an important game for both teams for different reasons. A victory for the blades will keep the pressure on Leeds for that final automatic promotion place, while a victory for the Lions could see them be five points clear of the drop.