Doncaster (Away)

Nutton Returns

by Ian Malin

Millwall defender Micky Nutton stands by to make his first appearance of the season tonight when the Lions travel to Doncaster.

Nutton missed the start of the season with a leg injury and new-signing Lindsay Smith took over David Martin's role in the Millwall defence last week.

But now Smith steps down with a leg injury following Millwall's 3-3 draw at Walsall on Saturday. Smith was carried off near the end of the game

He was taken to hospital and given eight stitches in a gash in his shin. Boss George Graham said “Lindsay was given an X-ray as a precaution and will certainly miss the Doncaster game.”

The 24-year-old Nutton now has a chance to impress before next week's tie in the Milk Cup at his former club Chelsea.

Graham said, “It will he a tough game at Doncaster They are one of the fancied teams although I expect Hull and York to he around the top when the season finishes.”

“We are not getting too carried away at the moment but it was a good performance at Walsall on Saturday. We played excellently and created a lot more chances for ourselves and Kevin Bremner could have scored a hattrick.”

Graham in a rage

Doncaster Rovers 0 Millwall 1

ANGRY Millwall manager George Graham is considering reporting referee Ken Redfern for his handling of this match, after seven of his Lions were booked.

The match was very competitive but never violent and Graham was astounded by the bookings.

He said: “It seems we are still suffering for Millwall's past reputation. The referee was influenced by the home crowd, yet Doncaster finished with 11 fit men and we I had two players injured.”

“Cautions for away team players this season are much higher than for the home team.”

A brilliant goal after 23 minutes by Dean Neal clinched the points for the Lions, who had to withstand considerable pressure.

Graham. said: “We did not play as well as in our previous away game but we were superb in defence.”

Neal's goal came when he spotted Doncaster goalkeeper Denis Peacock off his line and curled a 25-yard shot into the roof of the net.

Tony Kinsella twisted an ankle just after half-time and was replaced by Alan McLeary.

The seven Millwall bookings were Roffey, Cusack, Neal, Chatterton, Nutton, Stevens and Bremner.

Doncaster: Peacock; Philliben (Buckley, 50 mins), Yates, I.Snowdin, Humphries, Lister, Dobbin, Douglas, Butterworth, Harle, G.Snowdin

Millwall: Sansome, Stevens, Roffey; Kinsella (McLeary 50 mins), Nutton, Cusack, Lovell, Bremner, Neal, Chatterton, Otulakowski

Ref K Redford (Whitley Bay) Att 4,241

Doncaster 0 Millwall 1

MILLWALL manager George Graham plans to make an official complaint to the Football League about referee Ken Redfern's decision to book seven of his players on Tuesday.

The unlucky Millwall men were Dean Neal, Nick Chatterton, Dave Cusack, Micky Nutton, Bill Roffey, Kevin Bremner and Keith Stevens.

The Whitley Bay official also booked Doncaster's young defenders John Philliben and Glenn Humphries to take his tally to nine. Although the Third Division match was competitive, it was by no means a dirty game.

Graham fumed, “Something has to be done about the standard of refereeing and it is up to managers to make a stand.”

“The crowd were incensed by his behaviour and I intend to write formally to the Football League to protest.”

Millwall were under pressure for most of the game, but deserved their victory for a tremendous hard working display. Dave Cusack was rarely beaten in the air, Dean Neal looked lively in attack and Anton Otulakowski was magnificent in midfield.

Nicky Chatterton did well to clear off the line early on before providing the long pass for Neal to score his fifth goal of the season after 22 minutes with a superb swerving shot from 20 yards.

Doncaster had almost all the play after that, but Steve Lovell went close to making it 2-0 after a breakaway move with a shot which was saved by the keeper's outstretched legs.

Millwall: Sansome, Stevens, Roffey, Kinsella (McLeary), Nutton, Cusack, Lovell, Bremner, Neal, Chatterton, Otulakowski.

Referee: Ken Redfern (Whitley Bay). Attendance: 4,241.

Dean in to fire Millwall

MILLWALL inflicted the first home defeat of the season on Doncaster last night-but had their joy dented by SIX bookings.

Referee Ken Redfern added Doncaster defenders John Philiben and Glenn Humphries to the list although the match never got out of control.

Millwall won with a 22nd minute goal from Dean Neal. The 23-year-old striker latched on to a long pass from Nicky Chatterton and fired home a super 20 yard swerving shot.