Spiller goal seals win

Millwall got their first win of the season today, beating Cheltenham 1-0 courtesy of a Danny Spiller goal.

The Lions made 2 changes to the side that lost to Northampton in midweek with Richard Shaw and Dave Brammer returning as expected.

Willie Donachie`s side made the better start to the game with Ryan Smith forcing Town keeper Shane Higgs into the first save of the match from 25-yards and then Dunne`s shot was blocked moments later.

On 16 minutes Neil Harris fired over from outside the box before his cheeky lob trickled wide of the right hand post just before the half hour mark.

A few minutes later, May`s goal-bound header was blocked as the Lions mounted the pressure on the away side. The 37th minute saw Cheltenham`s first shot of the game with Steven Gillespie blasting over from 20-yards out.

May then had another good chance 5 minutes before the break but his shot from 6-yards was well blocked by Lee Ridley and then the striker fired over from Smith`s corner two minutes later.

But the Lions finally took a deserved lead through SPILLER. The ball found its` way to Harris who slotted the ball through to the midfielder who converted from 8 yards out.

HT- Millwall 1-0 Cheltenham

Cheltenham fought back after the break and Jeremy Gill went close from just outside the box as Town began to take the greater share of possession.

In the 53rd minute, an injured Ryan Smith was taken off for Gary Alexander and two minutes later Paul Robbinson, who finally penned a new deal at The Den before kick-off, was booked for a foul on Paul Connor.

On the hour mark, Alexander`s fierce shot was tipped around the post by Higgs as the Lions began to regain control of the game.

Cheltenham made a change with half an hour to go with Ashley Vincent going off for loan signing Jennison Myrie-Williams.

And the striker nearly made an immediate impact with his dipping shot nearly finding the top corner from 25-yards.

Alexander had another shot well saved while at the other end Steven Gillespie blasted over.

Andy Lindegaard was replaced by Ben Gill for Cheltenham and then the away side had their best chance of the game when Townsend hit the post with a header.

With two minutes to go, Alexander nearly doubled the Lions advantage but he shot straight at Higgs from 20-yards.

Millwall held on for a deserved victory, with a far superior share of the possession and carved out twice as many chances as Cheltenham, who looked nothing special.
Donachie will be satisfied with the performance but the squad still needs a striker who has pace and a clinical finish to really mount a serious challenge for promotion.

Spiller - Got the goal and played well alongside Brammer 13 Day
02 Senda
05 Robinson
27 Shaw
03 Frampton
07 Dunne
04 Spiller
14 Brammer
11 Smith (54 Alexander)
17 May
09 Harris
01 Higgs
02 Gill
06 Townsend
04 Duff
03 Ridley
17 Lindegaard (79 Gill )
08 Finnigan
14 Bird
18 Vincent (66 Myrie-Williams )
07 Gillespie
09 Connor

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