Millwall 0-0 Luton: The Hatters take one step closer to securing a play-off place with a goalless draw – giving Burnley the chance to clinch automatic promotion if they WIN at fourth-placed Middlesbrough

• Millwall and Luton inched themselves closer to the Championship play-offs 
• Millwall drew 0-0 with Luton in their Championship clash at The Den on Friday
• Both sides pressed the ball frenetically throughout the opening 45 minutes

In a match that will be forgotten long before the Easter eggs are given out on Sunday morning, Millwall and Luton inched themselves closer to the Championship play-offs.

Perspiration won the day over inspiration in a messy muddle of a match, but neither Gary Rowett nor Rob Edwards will care a jot if their respective sides maintain their status in the top six until the end of the regular season in a month’s time.

After all, making the play-offs is more important at this stage of the season than the manner in which you secure your place.

For all Luton’s play-off experience last season, both teams can be considered interlopers in the top six while recent Premier League incumbents Norwich, West Brom and Watford surprisingly lurch along below them.

The sides also have a shared purpose to prove that teamwork and tenacity can overcome technical superiority.

Millwall and Luton inched themselves closer to the Championship play-offs on Friday

Millwall drew 0-0 with Luton in their Championship clash at The Den on Friday

Neither Rob Edwards (above) nor Gary Rowett will care a jot if their respective sides maintain their status in the top six until the end of the regular season

It was no surprise, therefore, that much of the first half at The Den was spent with each side cancelling out the other.

Both sides pressed the ball frenetically throughout the opening 45 minutes, denying space and time for creative play.

MATCH FACTS

Millwall (4-2-3-1): Long 6; McNamara 7, Hutchinson 6 (Malone 83, 6), Cooper 6, Wallace 6; Leonard 7 (Shackleton 87, 6), Saville 7; Burke 5 (Mitchell 82, 6), Flemming 7, Voglsammer 6 (Esse 82, 6); Bradshaw 7

Subs not used: Bialkowski, Honeyman, Watmore

Luton Town (3-5-2): Horvath 6; Osho 6, Lockyer 7, Bell 7; Drameh 7, Mpanzu 6, Campbell 7 (Woodrow 87, 6), Nakamba 6, Doughty 6; Morris 6, Adebayo 6

Subs not used: Shea, Bradley, Taylor, Burke, Lansbury, Berry

Referee: Darren England

While victory would have advanced their respective ambitions, avoiding defeat felt like a greater imperative.

Millwall almost fashioned a chance in the opening two minutes but Tom Bradshaw just couldn’t stretch far enough to collect a looped Zian Flemming pass.

Bradshaw had another opportunity in the 19th minute when he sprinted onto a clipped ball over the top. 

Holding off the persistent Tom Lockyer he forced Luton keeper Ethan Horvath to parry his shot away for a corner.

Amid the frantic action full of near openings, Carlton Morris was found by Alfie Doughty before seeing his shot deflected wide for a corner. 

From it, Elijah Adebayo headed across goal only for two Millwall defenders to close on the dropping ball.

At the other end, Ryan Leonard accepted the Millwall crowd’s invitation to shoot from distance and brought a plunging save out of Horvath.

If anything, the opening 10 minutes of the second period was an even tougher watch. Do not expect a flood of goals if these sides end up facing each other in the play-offs

It was no surprise when the clearest chance came from a set piece, Flemming floating a header from George Saville’s free-kick onto the roof of the net.

Andreas Volglsammer then found himself closed down by two Luton defenders as he attempted to spin away and force home a shot.

Both sides pressed the ball frenetically throughout the opening 45 minutes, denying space

A win for Burnley tonight will secure them automatic promotion into the Premier League 

After the German sent a free-kick over the Luton wall but wide of goal, Morris and Doughty had efforts comfortably saved at the other end by Millwall keeper George Long.

In truth, neither keeper endured a difficult moment all afternoon, shielded effectively by defences which have proven difficult to breach all season.

Should they remain as organised and stubborn for another four weeks, their play-off ambitions will be achieved and this match will be remembered only as an important stepping stone along the way.

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