In a game that would have seen Derby County sneak into sixth place – at the expense of Bristol City – it in fact panned out to be the polar opposite as the Midlands side fell to a 1-0 defeat.
Jed Wallace ended a swift counter attack on 72 minutes, firing low and hard beyond Kelle Roos, to earn Millwall only their second away win in the Sky Bet Championship all season.
The Lions were resolute at the back and completed a classic smash and grab victory courtesy of their only shot on target throughout the whole affair.
A small cluster of travelling supporters sparked into collective joy when Wallace rippled the back of Derby’s net, however, joy was the antonym for Frank Lampard.
Derby had been undone by Neil Harris’ men for the second time this season, just as they had been at The Den back in August, and Lampard affirmed that his side were not imaginative enough when in possession.
“There were no surprises because Millwall defend all very organised,” the Derby boss admitted. “We had the bulk of possession but we weren’t quick enough with it at times.
“We didn’t have enough imagination in our game to break them down and they scored with their only shot. A culmination of us not being bright enough on the ball, as well as a lapse in concentration, gave them a goal which they were clinical about.
“Trying to predict a performance is tough in this league, anything can happen, but I thought we’d cause them more problems with the possession we had.”
The hosts themselves were only able to register a single attempt on target, a header in the dying embers from Fikayo Tomori, leading Lampard to state it was a time to be brave following his side’s ninth league defeat.
“We’re in a race to be in the top six, a win today would have got us there, but we didn’t so it’s a time to be brave and be a realist,” the 40-year-old continued.
“We know when we perform we can win games. I didn’t like Ipswich, and it was a tough game tonight, but if we’re not at it I don’t think we should lose.
“I can be concerned when we win games with a multitude of things. We are in the game for points, let’s be honest, and in the last two league games we’ve only gained one point.”
It was a rather lethargic start to proceedings under the Pride Park floodlights – and this trend continued right the way through the first period as Mahlon Romeo’s teasing cutback inside six minutes somehow evaded everyone.
Half-chances were few and far between for both sides but it was Lampard’s charges who looked the more likely to notch the opener.
Martyn Waghorn was twice unable to pull the trigger following promising passages of play down both flanks. Harry Wilson’s penchant for spectacular free-kicks then threatened to rear its head once more but he instead struck the line of Millwall bodies that faced him.
Moments before the interval, Jack Marriott looked to have been blocked off inside the 18-yard-box but it was much ado about nothing for referee James Linington as he waved play on within an instant.
The evening’s solitary Sky Bet Championship clash threatened to spark into life subsequent to both managers’ half-time pep talks, and again, it was Derby who looked the sharpest.
Marriott who was denied a penalty before the break found himself in-behind the Millwall defence shortly after. He plucked a high ball from out the sky with expertise but the Rams frontman lacked balance at the crucial moment and it rolled straight through to Jordan Archer.
Both Richard Keogh and Jayden Bogle were next to test the Lions’ defensive stability, yet when they were presented any sniff at goal they were only able to direct their efforts wide.
And, for all of the Rams’ efforts to take the lead, it was in fact the visitors who found themselves in the driving seat.
Wallace had peeled away on the left side during Derby’s latest attack, and when the turnover arrived, a rapid counter attack was clinically finished by Millwall’s number seven.
With 72 minutes elapsed, it left Derby one task for the final 22: restore parity. They pressed with haste to do so, however, much to the audible frustration of the best part of 24,907 fans inside the ground, it never transpired.
A late, late corner that was recycled almost paid dividends though as substitute Florian Jozefzoon lashed an effort goalwards – only to see it blocked by Waghorn.
Centre-back Tomori rose highest moments previous to try and power home an equaliser with his head, but in the end it was not to be for Lampard’s side as Millwall earned all three points.
Derby Uni Footy Journos 
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