Harris pleased with ‘excellent point’ as Millwall battle back to extend unbeaten run

Millwall boss Neil Harris felt his side had picked up an “excellent point” in their quest for a top-six finish after battling back for a 1-1 draw at Sheffield United.

Leon Clarke put United ahead with just 16 minutes remaining at Bramall Lane but Millwall were level inside two minutes thanks to Steve Morison.

The result means the Lions, who started the day in fifth, remain three points ahead of the Blades in the race for a berth in the Championship play-offs.

Harris said: “It was a point gained for us, definitely.

“First and foremost, credit to both sides. A fantastic atmosphere here, I used to love playing at Bramall Lane and that today was a great, great atmosphere at this level.

“And two sides with so much at stake, still managed to produce some really good moments of football. But it’s a good point for us because it keeps the distance between us and Sheffield United.

“Also to be one goal down here and then to come back so quick, that means it’s an excellent point.”

Morison started Tuesday’s 2-0 win at Bolton on the bench but the 34-year-old returned to the starting line-up on Saturday and netted his fifth goal of the season when he beat Jamal Blackman with a cool low finish

Harris was pleased to see his decision to rest the former Norwich and Leeds in midweek pay dividends.

He said: “I just felt with the importance of today against Sheffield United’s really disciplined shape and their freedom of play that Steve’s leadership would be key and a fresh Steve Morison was key.

“I’m pleased I made the decision to rest him during the week because Tom (Elliot) scored the first goal then and ‘Morro’ scored today.”

Lee Evans was unlucky with a curling effort in the first half for United, before their top scorer Clarke nodded in the opener after Jack O’Connell headed the ball back across goal.

Morison struck back almost immediately for Millwall, and visiting goalkeeper Jordan Archer ensured the visitors would be returning to London with a point when he produced a sensational save from Billy Sharp’s header.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder was full of praise for Millwall, who extended their remarkable unbeaten league run to 17 games.

He said: “You’ve not gone on that run without having something about you and we knew that.

“They were playing with a lot of confidence which the run brings and they’re a tough team to beat. They get a lot of people behind the ball.

“Going the other way, the front two are a real good pair and they’ve got some good players. They’ve recruited well and they’re playing with a freedom and a confidence so we always knew it was going to be a real difficult game.

“But we believed that if we played the way that we can, that we can win this game and obviously sticking our noses in front in a tight game after 70-odd minutes, was the position we wanted to be in.”