Millwall assistant boss Barrett: It’s game on for the play-offs – a pressure shootout in the final two games

Adam Barrett praised Millwall’s defensive display in tonight’s 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers and reckons the final Championship play-off spot is firmly up for grabs.

Mason Bennett’s first-half goal secured a first home victory in the league since mid-January – a stat which sounds dramatic when you do not take account of the coronavirus pandemic shutting down football for a sustained period.

But the Lions also kept a 16th Championship clean sheet of the campaign as they moved up to seventh and two points behind Cardiff City, who occupy the final play-off position.

Interim assistant manager Barrett said: “Cardiff won tonight but it’s putting pressure on them. It’s almost like a shootout now. You can be out of it on Saturday or in it going into the last game.

“We’re two points behind with two to play – it’s game on. We go to QPR on Saturday and we’re in the mix.

“We were delighted with that – just to back up Saturday’s performance and result. It keeps us in the hunt.

“We’ve been getting better and better. The intensity in the first half-hour was excellent – that’s more like us.

“It’s a tense stage of the season, it’s very difficult, but that win keeps us in the mix.

“Blackburn came here and they needed to win the game as well. To get those back-to-back wins gives us a bit of momentum.

“On the turnover and counter-attack he [Bennett] was a real threat. Mason was excellent tonight. He’s getting fitter and stronger.

“The lads defended excellently tonight. They had more possession than us but I can’t remember Bart having too much to do. Another clean sheet – out defensive record has been outstanding, which gives us a base to build from.”

PICTURES BY KEITH GILLARD