Lions' pitch-hitch

2:58pm Tuesday 30th January 2001

Despite losing at home for the fourth time this season to Bournemouth on Saturday, Millwall have grounds for optimism.

The contractors responsible for the the pitch have been dispensed with and replaced by a new full-time groundsman.

The condition of the pitch has been a difficult obstacle for Millwall to overcome and, coupled with the absence of Tim Cahill and Steven Reid through suspension, the weakened Lions found Bournemouth too hard a nut to crack as they relinquished top-spot to Wallsall.

Millwall were coping well with in-form striker Jermaine Defoe but the two wide midfielders, Wade Elliott and Claus Jorgensen, were a constant threat.

The pair combined devastatingly in the sixth minute, when Jorgensen headed home Elliott's simple cross from the right.

Five minutes later, the ball was in the back of the net once more, but Eddie Howe's header was ruled out to the relief of the home team and fans.

It took Millwall 35 minutes to register their first serious attempt on goal when Matt Lawrences cross was headed just over the bar by Paul Moody.

The same player went close again four minutes later, volleying just wide after the ball bounced kindly for him.

After a quiet first-half, Defoe looking to score for 11 consecutive matches, managed four shots on target but Millwall goalkeeper Tony Warner dealt comfortably with all of them.

Elliot continued to wreak havoc down the right, crossing for Steve Fletcher to head against the post and the closest Millwall came to equalising was when Marc Bircham's shot was chested off the line by Richard Hughes.

Millwall play Bristol Rovers at the New Den on Saturday at 3pm.