GARY Rowett hailed the impact of Danny McNamara after his first two goals in a Millwall shirt capped a comprehensive 4-1 win over vulnerable Barnsley at the Den.

On his 50th appearance for the Lions, the 23-year-old wing-back opened the scoring in the first half of the Sky Bet Championship contest when he arrived late in the box to convert a Jed Wallace cross.

And he then doubled his tally for the game, the season and his club just two minutes after the break, this time heading in a deep delivery from fellow wing-back Scott Malone.

Rowett was delighted for the Irishman, revealing there has been work behind the scenes to improve his attacking game.

News Shopper: Danny McNamara scored twice against BarnsleyDanny McNamara scored twice against Barnsley

The Lions boss said: “He’s been getting into those positions. I know Robbo’s been working with Danny trying to get a little bit higher, reading the game and getting in at the back post.

“He’s done really well, particularly in some of the home games where a Danny McNamara crunching tackle sets everyone off and gets the atmosphere going.”

McNamara was substituted late in the second half with a tight hamstring, but Rowett said it was simply a precautionary measure.

Romal Palmer hit back for the Tykes early in the second half before Oliver Burke and Benik Afobe put the result beyond all doubt to boost Millwall’s play-off hopes and cut the gap to sixth place to four points.

However, Rowett acknowledged there is still no margin for error if the south London side are to finish in the top six for the first time in his three-year reign.

“We’re going to have to put a run together, quite simply,” he said. “There’s no other way of looking at it.

“We’re probably going to have to win two more games than a lot of other sides.

“I think we’ve been in this position probably every season. It’s not easy to take the next step but I think what’s important is the players give everything they’ve got to try.”

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