Royle unhappy with Millwall goal

Last updated : 13 March 2006 By Russell Claydon
After the 1-1 draw at home to Millwall Blues boss, Joe Royle said: "I give maximum marks to the referee but the goal followed what should have been a freekick to us, following a call by a Millwall player that the referee never heard.

"I can't criticise my players. We needed to win this match but if we can take the points at Preston on Tuesday we will make up for it."

Royle then went on to lament how his side over-passed the ball on a poor pitch, he said: "We started so well and should have gone on to a convincing victory. We scored but then didn't have another shot for 30 minutes. We overpassed on a pitch not conducive to passing football.

"I want my players to pass the ball but in the opposition half. All our stars today were in defence. You shouldn't be asking your defenders to be the star men when you are needing to win home games."

The Millwall boss, Dave Tuttle was delighted with a point which could be the difference between his side staying up or playing in League One next season: "It was a fantastic performance.

"We started slowly. Ipswich were on top for 10 minutes but after that we coped very well and maybe deserved more than a point. All our players battled all the way through and all credit to them.

"All that matters is that we finish this season fourth from bottom because it is no good playing well and still getting relegated."

Royle also praised the way Millwall battled: Millwall are playing better than their position suggests. They are not one of the worst three sides in the league," he said.

The point leaves Town in tenth place, level with Coventry in ninth on fifty one points and still within reach of a play-off spot, if they can overcome two tricky away trips, to Deepdale and Selhurst Park over the next week.