By Chris O'Brien
April 8 2004

It was a case of the after the Lord Mayors show at the New Den, as the Bluebirds battled hard to bring home a point against FA Cup finalists Millwall. The only incident of note from the drab affair was the dismissal of Millwall forward Tim Cahill for a second yellow card in the closing stages.

Cardiff City put up a battling display at the Den to leave South-East London with a point, grinding out a goalless stalemate against F.A Cup finalists Millwall. The main incident of the game was Tim Cahill, who hit the winning goal for Millwall in their Cup semi-final against Sunderland, being sent-off for a second bookable offence in the closing moments of the game.

This game was never going to be a cracker. Teams who have achieved heroics in the F.A Cup rarely continue their inspiring displays from the knockout competition in league action, and after booking a place at the Millennium Stadium to face Manchester United in May, the visit of 10th placed Cardiff City was never going to be one to get Dennis Wise's young troops excited.

Lennie Lawrence made no changes from the side that won 2-1 at the Priestfield Stadium against Gillingham on Saturday, although John Robinson, who passed a late fitness test to make the trip to the capital, was taken off only minutes into the game through injury and was replaced by the on-loan Lee Bullock. Robinson will now be a major doubt for Saturday's league clash against Crystal Palace.

The game produced few clear cut chances, and was in all honesty it was a case of after the Lord Mayors show for Millwall who lacked the cutting edge infront of goal despite dominating possession throughout. Danny Dichio went close in the opening half with a header and Tim Cahill had a handful of half-chances but not much was happening for Millwall. City created little in the way of chances either, and a goal rarely looked likely. Everton's Nick Chadwick, enjoying a loan-spell with Millwall, also had a chance, flashing a shot past the post.

The second-half began with more pace and energy but neither side had the creativity to frighten the opponents' backline. Danny Dichio sent a header just wide of Martyn Margetson's goal, while at the other end Tony Vidmar and Robert Earnshaw had half chances for the Bluebirds. As the game drew to a close, Tim Cahill went close to repeating his heroics in the F.A Cup, firing a shot inches wide. However, the forward's evening turned sour in the closing stages as he was booked for a second time in the closing stages for a needless foul, and is now likely to miss at least one First Division game for the London outfit.

This is a result that both teams will be satisfied with, although I really feel that for play-off hopes to become realistic ambitions, three points was required. The majority of the 816 travelling City supporters seemed to accept the result ended any play-off dreams. Millwall had a number of players out for the game, and will also be happy with a steady point to settle down players after the stunning week they have had, with the place in May's Cup final also securing the Lions a place in the Uefa Cup next season.

City remain in 10th in the league table after picking up the point, and with six games left remain 5 points off the play-off zone. It is looking like a real mountain to climb for Lennie Lawrence's side if an unexpected play-off place is to be achieved. The stalemate sees Millwall rise above neighbours and arch-rivals West Ham United into fifth place in the table, on 64 points, with a game in hand over most of the teams around them. If Dennis Wise could take his team into the play-offs, it would be a tremendous achievement from the Lions.

Full Time - Millwall 0-0 Cardiff City
Attendance - 9,584

Millwall: Marshall, Lawrence, Dunne, Ward, Ryan, Chadwick, Roberts, Cahill, Livermore, Harris, Dichio.
Substitutes: Braniff, Elliott, Sweeney, McCammon, Gueret.

Cardiff: Margetson, Croft, Collins, Gabbidon, Vidmar, Robinson, Langley, Whalley, Parry, Lee, Earnshaw.
Substitutes: Campbell, Barker, Gordon, Bullock, Alexander.