Debutant right-back Ryan Fredericks's freak goal shortly before the break saw Millwall to a deserved 1-0 victory over the Blues at the Den. Town, who had midfielder Luke Hyam stretchered off early on, were second best for the most part and would have lost by a greater margin had former winger Lee Martin not spurned a 70th minute chance.

Skipper Carlos Edwards started on the right-side of a four-man midfield, making his first league start since the 3-1 home victory over Blackburn on December 3rd, as the Blues — wearing last season’s white and black away kit - switched back to 4-4-2 with Daryl Murphy back up front after recovering from his thigh injury.

Millwall, whose new manager Ian Holloway was in charge at the Den for the first time, included ex-Blues Liam Trotter and Martin from the start, while former loan keeper Stephen Bywater was on the bench.

Neither team had created anything before Hyam underwent lengthy treatment on the pitch for an injury to his right leg after an eighth-minute challenge with fellow former Northgate High School pupil Trotter.

The Town players quickly called on physio Matt Byard having kicked the ball out of play and the 22-year-old was eventually taken off on a stretcher with Jay Tabb replacing him and going to the left with Tunnicliffe switching to the centre.

Trotter curled a shot wide from 20 yards in the 16th minute with the home side having settled better after the delay for Hyam’s injury.

On 26, with Town still to really get going, an error by Cole Skuse in the centre circle allowed Martin a run in on goal but, having turned inside Tommy Smith and Christophe Berra, the midfielder’s low shot failed to test Gerken.

A minute later, McGoldrick scuffed the Blues’ first effort of the game through to Millwall keeper David Forde.

The Town top scorer created a better chance for his strike partner Murphy soon afterwards with a clever flick but the Irishman’s well-struck shot from the left of the area was too close to Forde.

Aaron Cresswell volleyed Edwards’s 34th minute cross into the ground with the Blues, by now having switched back to 4-3-3, finally starting to settle and get on top.

But, five minutes before the break, the home side went in front. Debutant full-back Ryan Fredericks, who signed on loan from Tottenham yesterday, sent in a deep cross from the right which somehow flew over keeper Gerken’s head, under the bar and into the net.

Town looked to hit back via McGoldrick but his effort was blocked by Lions skipper Danny Shittu. Before play could restart — and shortly before the fourth official signalled six additional minutes - Millwall keeper Forde was replaced by ex-Town loanee Stephen Bywater.

Edwards and Millwall’s Scott Malone got their names in the book for a clash after the Blues skipper had been fouled not far outside the area on the right, the Lions defender believing the Trinidadian had dived. The resultant freekick came to nothing.

The Blues were unable to get back on terms before referee Eddie Ilderton — who had frustrated the Town players on a number of occasions during the half — blew his whistle.

After the early injury to Hyam, Town took a long time to get going but had just started to get on top before Fredericks’s freak goal which Gerken will have been very disappointed to concede. Overall though, manager Mick McCarthy will have been disappointed with the display.

Martin nodded Smith’s goalbound header from Tunnicliffe’s corner off the line four minutes after the restart, then on 54 Shittu blocked from Murphy after good work from Skuse and Cresswell. From the corner, Tunnicliffe sent the ball well over.

On 57 Edwards crossed into Bywater’s arms with the Blues starting the half looking more of a threat than they had during most of the first, but with Millwall also still having their moments.

Paul Taylor replaced Edwards shortly after the hour mark, joining McGoldrick and Murphy in the front three. Then, with the home side again starting to dominate, Malone hit a powerful strike across the face of goal after a previous effort had deflected to him on the left.

Ex-Town winger Martin should have doubled his side’s lead in the 69th minute when Scott McDonald deftly flicked the ball in to his path inside the area. The one-time Manchester United man tricked his way past Chambers and into space 10 yards out and seemed destined to score but blazed wildly over.

It was a lucky escape for the Blues, who were by now pegged back in their half by the Lions, who were very much on top. On 73 sub Tabb made way for Frank Nouble.

Taylor curled a freekick just wide in the 76th minute, but Bywater wasn’t often being tested and Millwall were looking the more likely next scorers.

However, on 86 the Blues went close when Murphy sent Taylor away on the left after Fredericks had slipped. Bywater blocked the Town sub’s shot and Nouble just couldn’t get on to the rebound before it was cleared. Fredericks, Malone and the outstanding Shittu all received treatment for cramp in the aftermath.

Shortly before the end of scheduled time, Taylor was booked after shooting well wide in frustration having been penalised for a foul inside the area.

Soon after the fourth official’s board had gone up signalling four minutes of injury time, the Blues threatened from a corner. Bywater was nowhere as the ball came over from the right but it just wouldn’t fall kindly and Chambers amongst others was unable grab a late equaliser.

That was the final chance and referee Ilderton — who had continued to frustrate the Town players and fans throughout the second half — confirmed the Blues’ third defeat in a week.

Despite the fortunate nature of the goal, the home side deserved their victory and the second goal that Martin should have scored wouldn’t have flattered them.

Having taken a long time to get going following Hyam’s early injury, the Blues had a brief spell on top prior to the goal and threatened in the period just after the break, but were rarely in control and all too often hit long balls forward which were easy for Shittu to deal with.

The result sees the Blues drop to 10th place in the Championship, five points behind next week’s opponents Reading — who beat Bolton 7-1 today — in sixth.

Millwall: Forde (Bywater 44), Fredericks, Shittu (c), Lowry, Malone, Trotter (Abdou 69), Bailey (Wright 61), Martin, Keogh, Morison, McDonald. Unused: Beevers, Woolford, Feeney, Marquis.

Town: Gerken, Chambers, Smith, Berra, Cresswell, Edwards (c) (Taylor 62), Hyam (Tabb 13 (Nouble 73)), Skuse, Tunnicliffe, Murphy, McGoldrick. Unused: Loach, Mings, Hunt, Anderson. Referee: Eddie Ilderton (Tyne and Wear). Att: 12,125 (Town: 1,398).

Photo: Action Images

riley26 added 17:56 - Jan 18 When we nudged into the top six over the Christmas period I said January would be the real test to see of we are genuine contenders. I think we've got the answer. We have a decent spine to the team, back four and Skuse, to build around, but no real creativity to compliment.
5

blueboy1981 added 17:57 - Jan 18 ..... world class defender Shittu - LOL - well he was today !!!
3

TrabzonBlue added 17:57 - Jan 18 We are an average side, the sooner people accept that, the easier results like today can be taken. Without significant investment in the team we can't compete with the big boys and that's the reality folks and I have learned to accept it.
4

petermorris added 18:00 - Jan 18 We just can't seem to draw anymore.
3

bluearmy4life added 18:09 - Jan 18 Very disappointing result against a side we made look good to be fair. Like other posters one win in nine wont get us in the top six at present. I'm fearing Reading after there win today against Bolton. Mick and Terry are doing a decent job since they have arrived, but I feel for them as it looks like we wont invest good money into the squad which it so disappointing. My question to Marcus Evans is....... What is our ambitions? What's yours? We've come along way in 12 months, but we are only 2-3 players away of changing ITFC'S future...............................

6

mow_the_lawn added 18:10 - Jan 18 The worse I've seen us play in a long, long time. Danny Shittu won everything in the air in the first half so I was hoping MM would say something at half time to change the long ball tactic....if anything it was worse second half. It looked at times like we were trying to pick him out! Taylor's attitude in the warm up and when he came on stropping about surely means he'll be moved on soon.

9

bluefeast added 18:11 - Jan 18 worst midfield in the league . It causes the opposition no problems what so ever. Simple change it you mug.
10

Scribble added 18:16 - Jan 18 I feel sorry for those who travel to all the away games, Having to constantly put up with negative tactics, it really says it all about our squad that when we are chasing a game our only resort is Nouble. 1300 fans travelled today which is great, just wish MM & ME would acknowledge that and repay the fans with a bit of ambition.
20

StochesStotasBlewe added 18:20 - Jan 18 Big bag of sh#te today. Mr Evans appears to be content with how our season is panning out. I,m no lover of MM,s tactics or style of play for the most part, but it,s dawned on me these last few games that he kind of has to set up the team tactically to play this way because of the sheer lack of quality in the squad. Either invest sensibly in MM Mr Evans or the club will NEVER move forward.

13

OldClactonBlue added 18:21 - Jan 18 To win consistently football team need to play well. To play well they need good players. Our results have been well above the level that one might expect given the above. Well at least they were. The last three games are just evening things up. It's all you can expect from the way we play the game. Sorry if you find that hard to take. The Play Offs are a possibility because the Championship has so many poor teams, but entertainment sadly is not.

2

therein61 added 18:22 - Jan 18 Sitting at Paddington with a beer(one of a few) mulling over the current state of the Town, we have because of a small squad become very predictable and after a great run in the 1st half of the season will now find ourselves sliding to 1/2 way in the table while Mick has done a good job with what he has I think we deserve(as fans who keep the club going with our hard earned!!!!) to know what the hell is going on back stage re adding to the squad or the reasons as to why not!!!??? I feel that Mick could(unless things change) say bugger this and move on Marcus over to you let us know what the hell is going on!!!!!.

10

blueboy1981 added 18:23 - Jan 18 Scribble - that's absolutely right - how we justify that kind of following, for this kind of garbage, I just don't know. These people most definitely deserve far better - great following - just wish the Club would acknowledge it, in terms other than words, from time to time. Is that too much to ask from the modern day ITFC ? - it wouldn't have been in the past.
5

Surco72 added 18:25 - Jan 18 Went with my head and not my heart today and didn't bother going , fed up with watching this negative boring football especially away games . Hunt and Taylor both stand out performers for me over recent weeks , both dropped ? A defence which doesn't keep clean sheets gets picked every week whatever ? Tabb on the bench ahead of Wordsworth or even Lawrence ? Through away 2 cup ties with team selection and got no wins in league games after , what was the point ? Get some loan players in if we cannot afford signings because we are a low mid table squad as I have been saying all season and IMO have not improved over 3 seasons . Get Garvan on loan someone who can see a pass from midfield and Bramble at the back . Millwalls loan scores on debut if even if lucky, already more than Tunnicliffe who gets selected every week ?

14

bluefeast added 18:29 - Jan 18 MM is no god ,he a football manager who did well getting out of the championship with sunderland big budget and wolves big budget. With us he plays negative football because he has negative players apart from 1 or 2. Id love a flair side and an offensive manager.Just look at derby and middlesborough brighton forrest way ahead of our squads and modern offensive football not the shi we put up with .hooooooooof ball , no calmness no change of pace or direction , boring and ive said it all season.

7

bluey123 added 18:31 - Jan 18 McCarthy and Evans OUT went to match absolute disgrace managers tactics Subs useless NO Hunt 442 no wingers crap McCarthy has no idea. You idiots who go on about how good he is should have been at Preston or Millwall today .
5

blueboy1981 added 18:31 - Jan 18 MM will keep ploughing along in mid table / just clear of relegation - not at all convinced right now that he will desire to do anything other than that, and keep taking the salary, month after month, maybe season after season. That will satisfy both he and Evans - and the 'forever satisfied brigade' of course - I'm sure.
7

Lightningboy added 18:33 - Jan 18 Very poor result but not unexpected what with Holloway now in charge at Millwall. How many goals have we scored in the first half this season?..not many i'm guessing..it's time to be a lot more adventurous going forward. Mick's done a steady job so far but I think that's 1 win in 9 ?..i'm willing to accept dull-ish football so long as we're winning but dull football and no wins will = very disgruntled fans..me being one of them.

12

invictablue added 18:37 - Jan 18 The 'Ollie factor' notwithstanding, I have long looked to this fixture to provide a benchmark which would determine whether we really are serious play-off candidates or just another mediocre mid table team who have been flattering to deceive. Sadly, both the performance and the result have provided the answer.
5

cossy81 added 18:41 - Jan 18 Another season of "going out of the cup early at least we can concentrate on the league!"......Going wrong..bag of s*****
7

brittaniaman added 18:43 - Jan 18 To think that Holloway is taking his squad to Portugal for intense fitness training next week !!!! they certainly made us look tired ??? This is the 3rd new manager we have come up against this season I believe ????????????? Unfortunately we reached our peak Boxing Day.... and we seemed to have gone backwards ever since ???? No nominations for manager of the month this month MM. This has got to be sorted sooner than later MM !!!!!!

10

IpswichLewis added 18:46 - Jan 18 Gerken has ball, Didn't throw to left or right for possible quick attacking chances. Hoofes ball upfield, Shittu wins header. Millwall get a chance. Town get ball, panic, hoof ball route 1, Shittu wins header. Millwall score. Ipswich kick off, hoof ball up field, Shittu wins header. Millwall attack, Ipswich win possession. Ball goes out of play. Every decision goes Millwall's way even if it was a clear town throw. Millwall in possession, town get ball, 3 Millwall players fall down with cramp. Ipswich get ball. Hoofed up field, Shittu wins header. Millwall attack. That was today's game. Boring. We really need some new additions in the next 2weeks. Especially in midfield. Anyway on to the next game. It's only reading, who won 7-1 today...can't wait...

11

eastcoastblue added 18:46 - Jan 18 Painful today. Bereft of any skill or structure hoof ball all day. The most worrying thing is that MM should have seen that shittu was winning everything in the air and made some changes. He didnt. Worst performance i have seen since keane era. Sorry but we will be in the relegation dogfight if we dont address this
9

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 18:51 - Jan 18 Last week we played well and lost but today didn't sound good. A game we needed to get at least a point from. Not convinced that Tabb is the way forward now it's likely Hyam out for a little while, and certainly agree with others that we need some fresh faces in there and quickly. Poor result no doubt and improvement needed but does make me laugh how some posters can't wait to come on here and post repeatedly when we lose.

-7

Lightningboy added 18:52 - Jan 18 I like Mick and I like the way he's steadied our club after the Keane & Jewell fiascos BUT I think we all know deep down that he isn't the long term solution to what we all want at Itfc - i.e. another manager in the Burley mould,who'll take us up/forward,bringing through our own kids,playing superb football.
8

essexboy added 18:59 - Jan 18 EVANS get your cheque book out now.Show some desire and help MM ,otherwise sell the club to somebody who wants it.!
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