Millwall 1 - 0 Swindon

Millwall   1 - 0   Swindon

Robinson (centre) scored the only of the game to seal Millwall's promotion

By Paul Fletcher
BBC Sport at Wembley

Millwall skipper Paul Robinson scored the only goal of a tense League One play-off final as the Lions sealed their return to the Championship after a four-season absence.

The Lions had failed in their previous five play-off campaigns but they were deserved winners at a wet and chilly Wembley.

Robinson, a 90th minute substitute as his team lost last season's final 3-2 to Scunthorpe, scored from close range in the first half and his team created the bulk of the clear openings to finally win promotion through the play-offs.

Millwall had started this season like a side suffering a Wembley hangover, winning only two of their first 10 league games, but their form improved as the campaign wore on and Kenny Jackett's team did not concede a goal in their three play-off ties.

Paul Fletcher's blog Millwall's defeat of Swindon was a victory for the power of persistence

Swindon were awful in the first half of the final but did have one brilliant chance to equalise after 72 minutes.

A mistake by Robinson set scoring sensation Charlie Austin through on goal only for the striker, who started the campaign at Poole Town, to scuff his shot wide from 16 yards after the ball bobbled on the turf at the critical moment.

It was a moment that summed up a frustrating afternoon for Danny Wilson's team as they looked to end a decade outside the top two divisions but never really got going.

Swindon had won their previous two play-off campaigns, in 1990 and 1993, but will have to regroup over the summer and reflect on what has been a successful season for the Wiltshire club, even if it ended on such a disappointing note.

606: DEBATE Swindon lacked a little bit of class and that's probably what saw them fall short. Well executed though from Millwall Blueboyrob

Millwall, determined to avoid a repeat of last season's defeat, set about their task with a steely determination and it was no surprise that they created all of the final's precious few early openings.

The feisty Steve Morison showed a willingness to drift into wide areas in order to find space and a determination to chase down lost causes, blocking a clearance from David Lucas that rebounded out for a goal kick.

The 26-year-old striker went close with a lob from the edge of the area that drifted over the Robins keeper but landed on the roof of the net, while Lions legend Neil Harris whipped in a cross-cum-shot from a tight angle that Lucas tipped over his crossbar.

In contrast, Billy Paynter and Austin saw virtually nothing of the ball in the opening half, with the former hinting at his frustration when he snatched at a long distance strike after 27 minutes and saw his effort drift well wide.

Alan Sheehan shot narrowly over with a powerful left-footed strike for Swindon, who wore their all-white away strip, but the Lions deserved their lead at the break.

Kevin Amankwaah headed a cross from the impressive Shaun Batt into his own net under pressure from Liam Trotter only for the goal to be correctly ruled out because the Millwall midfielder was offside when the cross was delivered.

But Robinson ensured his team did take the lead when he controlled a corner that Scott Cuthbert inadvertently flicked into his path before stabbing home from inside the six-yard box.

Swindon, so disappointing in the first half, showed much greater resolve and urgency after the restart.

Wilson's team forced a series of corners and almost scored from one but David Forde saved Lescinel Jean-Francois' free header.

And they had their gilt-edged chance to draw level when a poor defensive header by the otherwise excellent Robinson played Austin through, only for the striker to fluff his lines at the crucial moment - albeit with the intervention of a nasty bobble on the pitch.

Even so, Millwall continued to look dangerous and might have doubled their lead early in the second half but Cuthbert made a superb clearance to prevent Batt from enjoying a clear run at goal.

Lucas also made a smart low save with his legs after Danny Schofield surged into the Swindon area before shooting from an acute angle, while Morison ended an impressive run with a tame shot that was easily held.

After Austin's miss, Millwall regained control of the final and Harris and Morison had further strikes at goal.

Swindon had a further effort deep into stoppage time but Forde palmed Austin's deflected effort around the post.

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Saturday, 29 May 2010

League One

Home Team	Score	Away Team	Time
Millwall	1-0	Swindon	FT
(HT 1-0)
Robinson 39

Millwall

• 01 Forde
• 05 Robinson
• 15 Craig (Frampton 44)
• 16 Barron
• 18 Ward
• 07 Schofield
• 25 Batt (Hackett 70)
• 26 Abdou
• 40 Trotter
• 09 Harris
• 20 Morison

Substitutes

• 13 Sullivan,
• 03 Frampton,
• 12 Hackett,
• 22 Fuseini,
• 24 Laird,
• 08 Alexander,
• 30 Obika

Swindon

• 01 Lucas
• 02 Cuthbert
• 03 Sheehan (Darby 67)
• 15 Amankwaah
• 19 Jean-Francois Lescinel yellow card
• 04 Douglas
• 07 McGovern (O'Brien 73)
• 24 Ward
• 30 Ferry
• 20 Paynter (Pericard 81)
• 32 Austin

Substitutes

• 12 Smith,
• 14 Morrison,
• 21 Darby,
• 08 Easton,
• 10 Timlin,
• 18 O'Brien,
• 05 Pericard

Ref: WebsterAtt: 73,108

MILLWALL

SWINDON

Possession

• Millwall 50%
• Swindon 50%

Attempts on target

• Millwall 13
• Swindon 4

Attempts off target

• Millwall 8
• Swindon 4

Corners

• Millwall 13
• Swindon 3

Fouls

• Millwall 14
• Swindon 6

• Final Result
• Full Time
• 90:00+4:09 The referee brings the game to a close.
• 90:00+3:42 Corner taken left-footed by Daniel Ward.
• 90:00+3:25 Charlie Austin takes a shot. Save by David Forde.
• 90:00+0:44 Short corner taken by Danny Schofield from the left by-line.
• 90:00+0:29 Danny Schofield decides to take the corner short.
• 89:36 Short corner taken by Danny Schofield from the left by-line.
• 88:32 Alan O'Brien sends in a cross.
• 83:34 Corner taken right-footed by Danny Schofield, save made by David Lucas.
• 82:48 Corner taken by Scott Barron from the right by-line to the near post, Stephen Darby makes a clearance.
• 82:38 Drilled right-footed shot by Steve Morison. Save by David Lucas.
• 81:51 Effort on goal by Steve Morison from just inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.
• 80:25 Substitution Vincent Pericard replaces Billy Paynter.
• 79:29 The ball is crossed by Scott Barron, Paul Robinson takes a shot. Scott Cuthbert makes a clearance.
• 79:29 Booking Lescinel Jean-Francois is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.
• 79:20 Steve Morison fouled by Lescinel Jean-Francois, the ref awards a free kick.
• 78:43 Steve Morison takes a shot from 12 yards. Blocked by Scott Cuthbert.
• 78:16 Corner taken by Scott Barron from the right by-line.
• 77:09 The ball is delivered by Kevin Amankwaah.
• 76:15 Scott Cuthbert gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Neil Harris. Free kick taken by Andy Frampton.
• 75:40 Neil Harris has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the right of the goal.
• 73:32 Steve Morison produces a right-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the bar.
• 73:09 Free kick awarded for a foul by Neil Harris on Stephen Darby. David Lucas takes the free kick.
• 72:14 Substitution Alan O'Brien joins the action as a substitute, replacing Jon-Paul McGovern.
• 71:34 Effort from deep inside the area by Charlie Austin misses to the right of the goal.
• 70:54 The referee blows for offside against Steve Morison. David Lucas takes the indirect free kick.
• 70:05 Neil Harris fouled by Jonathan Douglas, the ref awards a free kick. David Forde takes the free kick.
• 69:04 Substitution Chris Hackett joins the action as a substitute, replacing Shaun Batt.
• 68:21 Shaun Batt challenges Stephen Darby unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Stephen Darby.
• 66:10 Substitution Stephen Darby replaces Alan Sheehan.
• 64:24 Charlie Austin takes a shot. Paul Robinson gets a block in.
• 63:54 Steve Morison takes a shot. Comfortable save by David Lucas.
• 62:41 The assistant referee flags for offside against Steve Morison. David Lucas takes the free kick.
• 62:07 Shot by Danny Schofield. Blocked by Jonathan Douglas.
• 61:05 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Jon-Paul McGovern from the left by-line, Lescinel Jean-Francois takes a shot. Save by David Forde.
• 59:43 Corner taken by Jon-Paul McGovern, Unfair challenge on Darren Ward by Scott Cuthbert results in a free kick. David Forde takes the free kick.
• 59:28 Charlie Austin takes a shot. Blocked by Paul Robinson.
• 58:52 Unfair challenge on Alan Sheehan by Steve Morison results in a free kick. Alan Sheehan takes the direct free kick.
• 57:53 Alan Sheehan fouled by Shaun Batt, the ref awards a free kick. Jon-Paul McGovern crosses the ball in from the free kick.
• 57:07 Shot by Nadjim Abdou from outside the box goes over the net.
• 56:53 Neil Harris takes a shot. Save by David Lucas.
• 56:40 Danny Schofield takes a shot. Save made by David Lucas.
• 54:15 Corner taken by Danny Schofield from the left by-line, Steve Morison takes a shot. Clearance by Alan Sheehan.
• 52:17 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Danny Schofield from the left by-line, Headed effort from inside the area by Billy Paynter misses to the right of the goal.
• 48:51 Nadjim Abdou gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Alan Sheehan. Alan Sheehan restarts play with the free kick.
• 45:59 The referee penalises David Forde for handball. Alan Sheehan delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from left by-line, clearance made by Steve Morison.
• 45:01 The second half begins.
• Half Time
• 45:00+2:03 The first half comes to an end.
• 45:00+0:07 Steve Morison concedes a free kick for a foul on Scott Cuthbert. Direct free kick taken by Alan Sheehan.
• 43:50 Substitution Andy Frampton comes on in place of Tony Craig.
• 41:50 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on David Lucas by Neil Harris. Direct free kick taken by David Lucas.
• 41:34 Neil Harris takes a shot. Blocked by Lescinel Jean-Francois.
• 40:02 Scott Barron takes the inswinging corner, Neil Harris gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on David Lucas. Free kick taken by David Lucas.
• 38:30 Assist by Danny Schofield.
• 38:30 GOAL - Paul Robinson:Millwall 1 - 0 Swindon Paul Robinson finds the net with a goal from inside the six-yard box high into the middle of the goal. Millwall 1-0 Swindon.
• 38:00 Corner taken right-footed by Danny Schofield from the left by-line to the near post,
• 37:27 Corner taken by Scott Barron from the right by-line, Lescinel Jean-Francois makes a clearance.
• 34:47 Paul Robinson challenges Billy Paynter unfairly and gives away a free kick. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Alan Sheehan, Nadjim Abdou makes a clearance.
• 33:28 Steve Morison takes a shot. Lescinel Jean-Francois gets a block in. Tony Craig has a shot on goal from outside the box which misses right.
• 32:52 Shaun Batt fouled by Jonathan Douglas, the ref awards a free kick. Scott Barron takes the direct free kick.
• 30:45 Effort on goal by Alan Sheehan from a long way out goes over the bar.
• Correction - 28:31 Liam Trotter is flagged offside by the assistant referee. David Lucas restarts play with the free kick.
• 28:31 The referee blows for offside against Neil Harris. Free kick taken by David Lucas.
• 27:55 Charlie Austin takes a shot.
• 26:50 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Scott Barron, clearance made by Jonathan Douglas.
• 25:10 Unfair challenge on Billy Paynter by Darren Ward results in a free kick. Alan Sheehan crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right channel.
• 24:52 Shot from 25 yards from Shaun Batt. David Lucas makes a comfortable save.
• 21:51 Shaun Batt gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Alan Sheehan. Direct free kick taken by Jon-Paul McGovern.
• 20:20 Shot from just outside the box by Neil Harris misses to the left of the goal.
• 17:07 Danny Schofield produces a left-footed shot from just outside the area that goes wide left of the goal.
• 16:21 Steve Morison takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the crossbar.
• 16:08 Foul by Steve Morison on Scott Cuthbert, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by David Lucas.
• 15:35 Free kick awarded for a foul by Lescinel Jean-Francois on Paul Robinson. David Forde restarts play with the free kick.
• Correction - 14:51 Foul by Liam Trotter on Jonathan Douglas, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Scott Cuthbert.
• 14:51 Unfair challenge on Jonathan Douglas by Liam Trotter results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Lescinel Jean-Francois.
• 8:40 The referee blows for offside. David Forde restarts play with the free kick.
• 7:24 Danny Schofield takes a inswinging corner to the near post, Scott Cuthbert makes a clearance.
• 7:08 Neil Harris produces a drilled right-footed shot from 6 yards. Save by David Lucas.
• 6:49 The ball is crossed by Billy Paynter, save made by David Forde.
• 6:09 The assistant referee flags for offside against Neil Harris. Free kick taken by David Lucas.
• 5:23 The ball is swung over by Jon-Paul McGovern.
• 4:47 The referee blows for offside against Steve Morison. Alan Sheehan takes the indirect free kick.
• 2:49 Unfair challenge on Billy Paynter by Darren Ward results in a free kick. Alan Sheehan takes the direct free kick.
• 2:15 Charlie Austin delivers the ball.
• 0:00 The game gets underway.

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