Millwall 1 Nottingham Forest 0

Last updated : 03 October 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Ten-man Millwall shot up to ninth in the Championship table following their 1-0 win against Nottingham Forest at The Den.

Man of the match Graham Stack denied Forest a deserved point with a string of outstanding saves.

Forest had the better of the opening exchanges, with Eoin Jess coming close after just five minutes when his half-volley from edge of the box flew narrowly wide.

As the game went on Millwall got into their stride and hit a purple patch of 15 minutes as they went in search of the opener.

Alan Dunne came close on a number of occasions, but was denied his first ever goal for the club by some good goalkeeping from Paul Gerrard.

Neil Harris fired a centre across box and Dunne shot from just inside the area, but Gerrard got down low to his left and pushed the ball around the post.

Just ten minutes later it was Dunne again. This time he met Paul Ifil's cross with a powerful header and again Gerrard was able to turn the ball around the post.

Midway through the first half Forest dragged themselves back into the game and tested Stack in the home goal.

Andy Impey picked up a loose ball in midfield and was allowed to run at the home defence. He attempted to drill the ball in from 30 yards, but Stack managed to tip the ball over the bar.

Paul Evans almost converted from the resulting corner but his shot from the edge of the box went narrowly wide.

After 32 minutes Marlon King should have scored when he was picked out by Mathieu Louis-Jean, but his spectacular diving header was brilliantly saved by Stack from point-blank range.

The game flowed from end to end as neither team could quite take complete control, but the home-side took the lead just before the break through David Livermore.

Wes Morgan fouled Dunne on the edge of the box and Livermore stepped up to curl the free-kick into the top corner, giving Gerrard no chance.

Forest did not deserve to be a goal down at the break, but they could not find an equaliser despite creating a string of second-half chances.

On the hour Jess found Andy Reid with a clever back-heel to send the Republic of Ireland international down the wing. His cross went across the face of the goal and presented King with a tap in, but the former Gillingham man somehow missed when it was easier to score.

Jess almost scored himself just minutes later when he turned well to make a yard of space, but his shot from just inside the box was well saved by Stack with his knees.

Millwall were reduced to ten men after 74 minutes when Dunne was sent off. He received his second yellow card for a lunging tackle on Alan Rogers and the referee had no hesitation in dismissing him from the pitch.

For the remaining 16 minutes Forest pressed hard, but were guilty of missing a string of chances. On another day King could have had a hat-trick, but found Stack in inspired form.

The young keeper made three outstanding saves to keep the visitors at bay, including an amazing reaction save in injury time. King thumped the ball from only six yards and amazingly Stack managed to dive low to his right and keep the ball out.