Tom Bradshaw’s late strike earns a point for Millwall against Burnley

Posted Wednesday, February 22, 2023 by PA

Substitute Tom Bradshaw’s late strike rescued a point for Millwall against Championship leaders Burnley who had to settle for a 1-1 draw at the Den.

Ashley Barnes’ poacher’s effort in the 51st minute, his second goal in as many games, was looking it would be the difference on Tuesday evening in south London.

But Bradshaw kept his cool five minutes from time to slot home his 11th goal of the season and give the Lions’ play-off push even more credibility.

Following a thrilling 3-2 win over second-place Sheffield United on Saturday, Millwall are now up to fifth, while Burnley are 12 points clear of the Blades.

The visitors controlled possession in the opening stages, probing patiently from side to side, but it was their high-pressing that garnered the first chance.

Scott Twine pounced on a loose touch and gave it quickly to Barnes and then onto Anass Zaroury whose shot deflected off keeper George Long’s legs and narrowly wide.

Soon after Barnes had his first sight of goal, volleying off target from Vitinho’s cross.

The hosts, meanwhile, were looking a threat from set pieces and on the counter, with Zian Flemming hitting an ambitious lob from just past halfway over the bar.

And Millwall grew into the game as the half wore on, Flemming again trying his luck from distance in the 37th minute and Arijanet Muric did well to save the powerful strike.

Twine too let fly from the edge of the box for Burnley, fizzing his shot past the post.

The 23-year-old’s blushes were spared by the offside flag two minutes later, when he turned his first-time effort wide from eight yards out.

But the former Swindon midfielder was the source for the breakthrough six minutes after the break, playing a clever one-two before his shot ricocheted into the path of Barnes who stabbed home.

Josh Brownhill almost doubled Burnley’s advantage 10 minutes later when his half-volley smacked the base of the post.

As Millwall pushed for an equaliser, Andreas Voglsammer had a goal-bound volley blocked but no clear-cut chances presented themselves until the 85th minute.

Bradshaw was lurking around the penalty spot and when the ball broke to him from Flemming’s cross, the 30-year-old flashed a fine strike into the bottom corner.

Having allowed Millwall to apply increasing pressure in the closing period, Burnley desperately pushed forwards.

But they failed to trouble Long’s goal in seven minutes of stoppage time and went back to Lancashire with a point.