15 May 2016
Millwall take control of play-off semi-final

Millwall came from behind to defeat Bradford City and take control of their League One play-off semi-final.

Tony McMahon had given the Bantams an early lead from the penalty spot after Joe Martin handled in the box.

But Lee Gregory's acrobatic strike, Steve Morison's header and Martin's superb free-kick put the Lions into a 3-1 lead at half-time of the first leg.

Filipe Morais missed Bradford's best chance for a second goal when he skewed wide despite being free in the box.

The result means that, going into Friday's second leg at The Den, Neil Harris' side have a real chance of reaching Wembley as they seek to regain their place in the Championship at the first time of asking.

  • Millwall's win at Bradford as it happened

Millwall had finished the regular season one place ahead of the Bantams, but fell behind when Martin's outstretched hand prevented Morais a free header at goal and McMahon took full advantage from the spot.

But the lead lasted just two minutes as Gregory - who recently returned from stomach surgery - equalised with a superb shot on the turn after Morison's knockdown.

Bradford's defence struggled to deal with the combination of Gregory and Morison throughout, and the latter powered home a near-post header from a corner to give the visitors the lead.

Martin's curled free-kick into the corner of the net from about 30 yards out on the stroke of half-time to give Millwall something to defend.

Bradford looked the more likely to get the next goal, but could not find a way past goalkeeper Jordan Archer, with Nathan Clarke seeing a header well kept out.

Lee Evans also fired just wide twice, while Jamie Proctor felt he should have been awarded a penalty for a trip, but the referee waved play on as Millwall held on to take a lead back to their home ground, where they have won their last six games.

Play-off infographic

Bradford manager Phil Parkinson: "I thought we started the game well, got the goal, and then conceded two soft goals from set plays, which is unlike us.

"In the second half I thought we responded really well. It wasn't easy in that second half for the lads to go out and play as well as they did. But we couldn't get that goal back.

"I take a lot of heart from the way we played in the second half and I firmly believe that this tie is not over."

Millwall manager Neil Harris: "I'm obviously not going to hide the fact that we're really pleased with the day's work.

"There will be no complacency from my group, that's for sure. I think the first goal will be key.

"We know it will be difficult because Bradford will get the ball forward and try to put us under pressure, especially early on. We will rely on a really strong atmosphere at The Den."

  • Line-ups
  • Match Stats
  • Live Text

Line-ups

Bradford

  • 1Williams
  • 2Darby
  • 23McArdle
  • 5N Clarke
  • 3Meredith
  • 29McMahonBooked at 13minsSubstituted forAndersonat 82'minutes
  • 12Cullen
  • 4Evans
  • 17Reid
  • 20MoraisSubstituted forDaviesat 70'minutes
  • 19Proctor

Substitutes

  • 14Morris
  • 15Leigh
  • 18Routis
  • 21Thorpe
  • 24Davies
  • 26Anderson
  • 30Cracknell

Millwall

  • 13Archer
  • 4Edwards
  • 17Webster
  • 16Beevers
  • 3J MartinSubstituted forCraigat 71'minutes
  • 19Taylor
  • 26Abdou
  • 24Thompson
  • 18FergusonSubstituted forWilliamsat 90'minutes
  • 20Morison
  • 9GregorySubstituted forO'Brienat 66'minutes

Substitutes

  • 1Forde
  • 5Craig
  • 6Williams
  • 8Upson
  • 10Onyedinma
  • 15Nelson
  • 22O'Brien
Referee:
Dean Whitestone
Attendance:
19,241

Match Stats

Home TeamBradfordAway TeamMillwall
Possession
Home69%
Away31%
Shots
Home14
Away9
Shots on Target
Home5
Away5
Corners
Home11
Away2
Fouls
Home12
Away13

Live Text

Match ends, Bradford City 1, Millwall 3.

Full Time

Second Half ends, Bradford City 1, Millwall 3.
Attempt missed. Lee Evans (Bradford City) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
Attempt blocked. Steve Davies (Bradford City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Lee Evans.

Substitution

Substitution, Millwall. Shaun Williams replaces Shane Ferguson.
Corner, Bradford City. Conceded by Chris Taylor.
Foul by Steve Davies (Bradford City).
Jordan Archer (Millwall) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Lee Evans (Bradford City) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left from a direct free kick.
Steve Davies (Bradford City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Byron Webster (Millwall).

Substitution

Substitution, Bradford City. Paul Anderson replaces Tony McMahon.
Attempt missed. Steve Morison (Millwall) right footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the left is just a bit too high. Assisted by Aiden O'Brien.
Foul by Steve Davies (Bradford City).
Shane Ferguson (Millwall) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Corner, Bradford City. Conceded by Jordan Archer.
Attempt saved. Nathan Clarke (Bradford City) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Tony McMahon with a cross.
Corner, Bradford City. Conceded by Byron Webster.
Tony McMahon (Bradford City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Tony Craig (Millwall).
Foul by Jamie Proctor (Bradford City).
Mark Beevers (Millwall) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt saved. Tony McMahon (Bradford City) header from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Kyel Reid with a cross.
Attempt missed. Steve Morison (Millwall) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Corner, Bradford City. Conceded by Mark Beevers.

Substitution

Substitution, Millwall. Tony Craig replaces Joe Martin because of an injury.
Attempt saved. Nathan Clarke (Bradford City) right footed shot from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Tony McMahon with a cross.

Substitution

Substitution, Bradford City. Steve Davies replaces Filipe Morais.
Corner, Bradford City. Conceded by Jordan Archer.
Corner, Bradford City. Conceded by Mark Beevers.
Corner, Bradford City. Conceded by Carlos Edwards.

Substitution

Substitution, Millwall. Aiden O'Brien replaces Lee Gregory.
Attempt blocked. Filipe Morais (Bradford City) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jamie Proctor.
Foul by Jamie Proctor (Bradford City).
Byron Webster (Millwall) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
James Meredith (Bradford City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Steve Morison (Millwall).
Attempt missed. Tony McMahon (Bradford City) header from a difficult angle on the left is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Kyel Reid with a cross.
Nathan Clarke (Bradford City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Steve Morison (Millwall).
Corner, Bradford City. Conceded by Byron Webster.
Offside, Millwall. Byron Webster tries a through ball, but Lee Gregory is caught offside.
Tony McMahon (Bradford City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Shane Ferguson (Millwall).
Attempt missed. Filipe Morais (Bradford City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Jamie Proctor.
Corner, Bradford City. Conceded by Chris Taylor.
Foul by Jamie Proctor (Bradford City).
Mark Beevers (Millwall) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt blocked. Lee Evans (Bradford City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Hand ball by Joe Martin (Millwall).

Second Half

Second Half begins Bradford City 1, Millwall 3.

Half Time

First Half ends, Bradford City 1, Millwall 3.
Attempt saved. Tony McMahon (Bradford City) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Attempt missed. Lee Gregory (Millwall) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Chris Taylor with a cross.

Goal!

Goal! Bradford City 1, Millwall 3. Joe Martin (Millwall) from a free kick with a left footed shot to the bottom right corner.
Foul by Lee Evans (Bradford City).
Lee Gregory (Millwall) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt missed. Lee Evans (Bradford City) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Tony McMahon with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Bradford City. Conceded by Joe Martin.
Rory McArdle (Bradford City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Lee Gregory (Millwall).
goal