Millwall Close Gap on Championship Top Two with Fine Win at Hull
Millwall moved five points clear of Hull City in the Championship playoffs and closed the gap on second-placed Middlesbrough for at least 24 hours as second-half goals from substitute Mihailo Ivanovic and Josh Coburn earned their side a 3-1 win at the MKM Stadium.
The visitors opened the scoring after 14 minutes through captain Jake Cooper's instinctive volley from close range, but they were extremely fortunate to have been level at the break. Hull, who twice struck the crossbar and also had a goal disallowed in a breathless first half, equalised four minutes later when Joe Gelhardt scored his 12th of the season.
Neil's Masterstroke Substitutions Prove Decisive
However, Alex Neil's decision to replace floundering duo Zak Sturge and Tommy Watson at half-time proved a masterstroke. Millwall were far more assured thereafter and left East Yorkshire with three points courtesy of goals from Ivanovic and Coburn.
Ivanovic cashed in on goalkeeper Ivor Pandur's error in the 70th minute before Coburn's fierce hit eight minutes later provided Neil's side with a victory that had looked highly unlikely after a one-sided first half. This result moves Millwall to within a single point of Middlesbrough, intensifying the race for automatic promotion.
Blackburn Snatch Dramatic Late Draw Against Portsmouth
At the other end of the table, Hayden Carter scored a stoppage-time equaliser as Blackburn snatched a dramatic 1-1 draw against fellow strugglers Portsmouth. Michael O'Neill's hosts had the better of a nervy encounter but looked set to be plunged into further relegation trouble when they were suckerpunched by Connor Ogilvie's deflected strike in the 84th minute.
However, Blackburn's character shone through and they scored a vital stoppage-time goal for the second home game in three as Carter's flicked header – his second goal in as many games – earned what could be a vital point in their fight to stay up. They certainly deserved something from the game and will rue Yuki Ohashi's early miss which should have set them on their way.
Relegation Battle Intensifies
The draw leaves Rovers four points clear of danger despite failing to win in three matches. Portsmouth fell away somewhat in the second half and remain a place and point above Blackburn with a game in hand, keeping the relegation scrap tightly contested.
Oxford Shock Preston to Move Out of Relegation Zone
In other Championship action, Oxford shocked Preston with a 3-1 win at Deepdale to move out of the relegation zone before Saturday's 3pm games. Michal Helik prodded United ahead in the fourth minute before Milutin Osmajic's 12th-minute equaliser.
Will Lankshear's improvised 54th-minute finish gave Matt Bloomfield's men a deserved lead and Ciaron Brown's header seven minutes later sealed the points. Oxford moved a point above Leicester, who visit Ipswich on Saturday afternoon, and above West Brom, who are at Sheffield United, on goal difference six days after beating Albion.
Relegated Sheffield Wednesday remain rock-bottom of the Championship table, highlighting the fierce competition at both ends of the division as the season approaches its climax.
