| RESULT | 1 - 0 and into the playoffs for the Lions |
| TEAM |
Robinson, Davis, Whelan, McGowan Murphy, Weatherstone S, Newton, Powell Anthrobus, Lilley |
| SUBS | Foilland (for McGowan, 42)
Jemson (for Weatherstone S, 71) Hackett (for Anthrobus, 81) Arendse, Whitehead (not used) |
| GOALS | 0 - 1 HARRIS (7) - A tackle on Ifill rebounded into Lawrence's path. His excellent cross was headed in by the unmarked Harris. |
| PERFORMANCE | An even and exciting first half was followed by a second half in which Oxford hardly seemed to try. On holiday already. |
| MAN OF MATCH | Paul POWELL - Again showed why he is one of the country's most exciting left-sided talents. |
| BOOKINGS | Phil WHELAN (17) - Foul. |
| ATTENDANCE | 13,827 - and most of them seemed to be on the pitch at the end, celebrating Millwall's entry into the play-offs. |
| REFEREE | Mark
Warren (Walsall) - Seemed to ignore many fouls, and was very lenient
amongst some tough Millwall tackling.
Unbiased, though, as he turned down several Millwall penalty appeals. |
| REPORTS | Oxford sites
From The Terrace ("Thank God it's all over")Milwall sites From The Terrace ("Millwall make play-offs")Football sites Football NewsNewspapers Express |
U's end in defeat
Oxford ended their season with a defeat at the hands of Millwall
who have clinched the final
play-off spot following Bristol Rovers defeat.
Millwall started the game brightly as they poured forward and
took the lead on 7 minutes
through Neil Harris. Harris arrived in the box to convert a
header from Lawrence's cross and
give the Lions the start they needed.
Millwall continued to pile on the pressure and had three penalty
appeals turned down. Ifill and
Harris both tumbled after challenges from Steve Davis but had
both appeals waved away by the
referee. Davis seemed to handle minutes later but again the
appeals were in vain.
Paul Moody saw a header saved by goalkeeper Richard Knight from
close range and Cahill
should have made it 2-0 on twenty minutes when he shot wide
from close range.
The only chance Oxford created in the game saw Tony Warner make
a superb save from a
Steve Davis header just before half-time. The ball seemed certain
to cross the line before
Warner somehow managed to scoop the ball away.
The second half continued in the same fashion with Millwall
unable to make all their pressure
count.
Harris had a goal ruled out for off-side and then went through
again, forcing a superb save from
Richard Knight.
Oxford defender and their man-of-the match Steve Davis made
some important challenges to
keep the score down to one.
The home supporters suffered a few nervy moments towards the
end of the game but their
attention was on the game in Cardiff were Bristol Rovers lost
1-0 to leave the play-off door wide
open. The final whistle saw jubilant scenes of celebration after
it seemed the Lions promotion
dream was over.
United's season ended on a sour note as midfielder Neil McGowan
was stretchered off the field
clutching the left leg that he broke earlier in the season against
Oldham Athletic.
This page is maintained by James Beard.