Mihailo Ivanovic’s poacher’s goal earned Millwall a 1-1 draw against Sheffield United, who often looked the better side in this Sky Bet Championship clash at The Den.
The Serbian striker quickly cancelled out Andre Brooks’ opener for the Blades, for whom Callum O’Hare missed two glorious opportunities to earn them three points against the play-off-chasing Lions.
Results elsewhere meant being held at home for the first time in four games was not too costly for Millwall, who sit five points clear of seventh-placed Derby.
The first big chance went Millwall’s way in the ninth minute when Ivanovic squared the ball for strike partner Macauley Langstaff and Blades goalkeeper Michael Cooper stood strong to make an excellent save.
Sheffield United then broke from the resulting corner, with Gustavo Hamer surging forward before shooting wide from 25 yards.
The opening goal went the visitors’ way after 17 minutes when Hamer won the ball off Tristan Crama before finding Brooks who cut inside before his low shot from just outside the box snuck in at the near post.
Their lead lasted just two minutes, however, as the Lions hit straight back when Femi Azeez’s free-kick was headed on by Caleb Taylor before Ivanovic stabbed in off the post to equalise.
There was a good, open feel to the game and the Blades almost went ahead again when Hamer played the ball for the onrushing Sam McCallum who smashed a shot into the side netting.
After a nasty-looking injury to McCallum saw him stretchered off, Brooks crossed for Tom Cannon whose header was well saved by Max Crocombe before Callum O’Hare somehow nodded the rebound wide.
Having ended the first half on the back foot, Millwall looked to reassert themselves after the restart, with Azeez bending a shot over after cutting inside from the right.
O’Hare was then guilty of another bad miss in the 61st minute when he was picked out by Femi Seriki’s low cross only to miscue completely from only six yards out, allowing the hosts to clear.
But the Blades were unquestionably on top by the midway point of the second half, and it was taking some determined defending from the Lions to hold them at bay.
Barry Bannan, signed from Sheffield Wednesday during the week, was brought on for his Millwall debut – and sent a volley from 25 yards straight at Cooper within seven minutes of doing so.
The match ended with neither side able to find a late winner, with Millwall possibly the happiest to take a share of the points.
