Millwall lost 2-1 to Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Saturday, a late collapse extending their winless run to three Championship matches. An own goal from Lyndon Dykes and an 82nd-minute strike from Thomas Waddingham overturned Jenson Metcalfe's early opener for the visitors. This result from Saturday 24 October means their recent form over the last five games stands at one win, two draws and two losses.
Metcalfe had given Millwall a perfect start, capitalising on a mistake from Portsmouth goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid to score after just six minutes. The lead lasted only ten minutes, however, as a cross into the box deflected off striker Dykes and into his own net. The teams went into the break level after an end-to-end first half.
Head coach Alex Neil made four changes to his side, with Max Crocombe replacing the injured Filip Marschall in goal and Luke Cundle coming into midfield. The alterations failed to produce a winning formula as Millwall struggled to create clear chances after the interval. Portsmouth grew stronger and their persistence was rewarded with eight minutes remaining. A attempted clearance from defender Jake Cooper ricocheted off the recently-introduced Waddingham and flew past Crocombe for the winner.
The result leaves Millwall 12th in the Championship table with 15 points from 11 games, having recorded four wins, three draws and four losses this season. Their recent form shows just one win in the last five outings, a sequence that includes draws with Lincoln and West Ham. They now sit ten points behind leaders Middlesbrough. Top scorer Dykes, who has four goals this season, had a difficult afternoon capped by his own goal. The team's overall record shows 18 goals scored and 18 conceded, leaving them with a zero goal difference.
Neil's squad continues to be affected by injuries, with several key players currently sidelined including J. Coburn, C. De Norre, L. Jensen, M. Luongo, F. Marschall, and M. Servais. The full extent of the injuries list will be a concern ahead of their next fixture. Millwall return to The Den next Saturday to face a struggling Derby County side, who are 23rd in the standings, on Saturday 31 October. They will be desperate to end their poor run and get back to winning ways in front of their own supporters.
Read the full report at Sky Sports Football
