Jay Simpson's late long-range strike rescued a point for Millwall against Brighton but the Lions still drop into the bottom three of the Championship.

Brighton should have taken the lead when Darren Ward fouled Craig Mackail-Smith in the box but Ryan Harley's penalty was saved by David Forde.

Millwall created plenty of chances but fell behind when Craig Noone volleyed home a Mackail-Smith cross.

With time running out, Simpson drilled home an equaliser from 30 yards out.

His shot had plenty of power and pace but Brighton keeper Casper Ankergren was slow to react as the ball whistled past him and into the bottom corner.

Until then, the Seagulls had looked set to end their six-game winless streak - despite Harley's poor effort from the spot.

There was controversy over referee Neil Swarbrick's decision to award the penalty, which was given when Mackail-Smith went to ground under pressure from Ward.

Swarbrick appeared unwilling to give the spot-kick but his assistant, who was near to the play, flagged for the foul.

In any case, Harley appeared indecisive as he ran up and his weak effort was easily saved.

Millwall responded well, and Paul Robinson had a shot cleared off the line before Liam Trotter headed wide from close range.

But Brighton weathered the storm and went ahead after the break when Noone escaped Tamika Mkandawire to net with a neat finish.

The Lions struggled to create any further openings in reply, until Simpson scored with his speculative strike with nine minutes to go.

Lineup, Bookings (4) & Substitutions (4)

Millwall

  • 01 Forde
  • 05 Robinson
  • 16 Barron Booked (Dunne - 46' )
  • 17 Mkandawire
  • 18 Ward
  • 06 Trotter
  • 15 Feeney
  • 24 Howard Booked
  • 26 Abdou
  • 07 Henderson (Agyemang - 62' )
  • 20 Simpson

Substitutes

  • 23 Mildenhall
  • 02 Dunne
  • 14 Henry
  • 22 N'Guessan
  • 27 Agyemang

Brighton & Hove Albion

  • 16 Ankergren
  • 03 Greer
  • 05 Dunk Booked
  • 14 Calderon
  • 22 Painter
  • 10 Sparrow Booked
  • 11 Noone
  • 17 Harley (LuaLua - 86' )
  • 26 Bridcutt
  • 07 Hoskins (Barnes - 77' )
  • 12 Mackail-Smith

Substitutes

  • 01 Brezovan
  • 20 Vincelot
  • 18 Dicker
  • 25 LuaLua
  • 09 Barnes
Ref: Swarbrick
Att: 11,688

Match Stats

Shots

9 8

On target

3 3

Corners

7 7

Fouls

14 16

Live Text Commentary

94:10 Full time

Full Time The final whistle is blown by the referee.

90:00 +2:17

Inswinging corner taken by Brian Howard, save made by Casper Ankergren.

87:00 Booking

Booking The referee cautions Lewis Dunk for unsporting behaviour.

86:51

Jay Simpson fouled by Lewis Dunk, the ref awards a free kick. Brian Howard restarts play with the free kick.

84:55 Substitution

Substitution Kazenga LuaLua replaces Ryan Harley.

84:55

Unfair challenge on Craig Noone by Alan Dunne results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Liam Bridcutt.

84:02

Inswinging corner taken by Liam Feeney from the left by-line played to the near post, Ashley Barnes makes a clearance. Corner from the left by-line taken by Liam Feeney, clearance by Ashley Barnes.

83:31

Matthew Sparrow challenges Liam Feeney unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Brian Howard.

80:08 Goal scored

Goal - Jay Simpson - Millwall 1 - 1 Brighton Jay Simpson scores from 35 yards. Millwall 1-1 Brighton.

79:30

Jay Simpson fouled by Lewis Dunk, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Paul Robinson.

78:48

Corner taken left-footed by Craig Noone from the left by-line to the near post, Tamika Mkandawire makes a clearance.

76:45 Substitution

Substitution Ashley Barnes joins the action as a substitute, replacing Will Hoskins.

76:33

Craig Noone has an effort at goal from the edge of the box that misses to the right of the target.

75:00

Unfair challenge on Brian Howard by Craig Noone results in a free kick. Brian Howard takes the direct free kick.

74:27

Ryan Harley takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the bar.

65:26

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Ryan Harley played to the near post, clearance by Patrick Agyemang.

64:25

Inswinging corner taken by Craig Noone, Tamika Mkandawire makes a clearance.

61:39 Substitution

Substitution Patrick Agyemang joins the action as a substitute, replacing Darius Henderson.

60:12

The assist for the goal came from Craig Mackail-Smith.

60:12 Goal scored

Goal - Craig Noone - Millwall 0 - 1 Brighton Craig Noone finds the back of the net with a goal from inside the penalty box to the top left corner of the goal. Millwall 0-1 Brighton.

56:54

Marcos Painter concedes a free kick for a foul on Liam Feeney. Paul Robinson takes the free kick.

55:20

Unfair challenge on Liam Bridcutt by Darius Henderson results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Gordon Greer.

54:17

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Craig Noone, Close range headed effort by Inigo Calderon misses to the right of the target.

52:28

Ryan Harley takes a shot. Save by David Forde. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Ryan Harley from the left by-line to the near post, clearance by Darius Henderson.

51:40

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Brian Howard.

48:59

Unfair challenge on Liam Bridcutt by Liam Trotter results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Gordon Greer.

46:18

The offside flag is raised against Gordon Greer. David Forde restarts play with the free kick.

45:30

The referee gives a free kick against Liam Trotter for handball. Direct free kick taken by Ryan Harley.

45:02 Substitution

Substitution Scott Barron goes off and Alan Dunne comes on.

45:01

The referee gets the second half underway.

45:00 +2:20 Half time

Half Time The match has reached half-time.

45:00 +2:00

Effort on goal by Craig Noone from inside the box misses to the right of the target.

45:00 +1:17

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Liam Feeney from the left by-line.

45:00 +1:17 Booking

Booking Matthew Sparrow is booked.

44:55

The offside flag is raised against Craig Mackail-Smith. Direct free kick taken by David Forde.

43:26

Liam Bridcutt fouled by Liam Trotter, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Liam Bridcutt.

43:03

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Craig Mackail-Smith by Darren Ward. Direct free kick taken by Matthew Sparrow.

42:11

Foul by Marcos Painter on Jay Simpson, free kick awarded. Paul Robinson takes the direct free kick.

40:59

Brian Howard takes a shot. Casper Ankergren makes a save.

39:56

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Liam Feeney, save by Casper Ankergren.

39:30

Free kick awarded for a foul by Lewis Dunk on Darius Henderson. Brian Howard takes the direct free kick.

38:23

Will Hoskins takes a shot. Blocked by Tamika Mkandawire. Ryan Harley takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance made by Darius Henderson.

35:57

Will Hoskins takes a shot. David Forde makes a save.

34:36

Lewis Dunk gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Liam Feeney. The ball is swung over by Brian Howard, Liam Trotter produces a header from deep inside the six-yard box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

31:56

Corner taken left-footed by Brian Howard to the near post, clearance by Craig Mackail-Smith.

31:15

Foul by Inigo Calderon on Brian Howard, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by David Forde.

29:07

Shot by Jay Simpson from deep inside the penalty area misses wide to the left of the target.

28:24

Header by Paul Robinson from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the target.

27:56

Marcos Painter challenges Liam Feeney unfairly and gives away a free kick. Brian Howard takes the direct free kick.

26:28

Liam Feeney has an effort at goal from outside the area missing to the wide right of the target.

25:08 Booking

Booking Scott Barron is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.

24:58

Scott Barron challenges Craig Noone unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Inigo Calderon.

23:35

Will Hoskins fouled by Tamika Mkandawire, the ref awards a free kick. Marcos Painter takes the free kick.

23:35

Free kick awarded for a foul by Tamika Mkandawire on Will Hoskins. Marcos Painter restarts play with the free kick.

22:11

Shot from inside the six-yard box by Darius Henderson goes wide right of the target.

21:07

Marcos Painter concedes a free kick for a foul on Liam Feeney. Strike comes in from Brian Howard from the free kick, save made by Casper Ankergren.

18:10

Liam Bridcutt fouled by Darius Henderson, the ref awards a free kick. Gordon Greer takes the direct free kick.

17:48 Penalty

A save by David Forde from penalty by Ryan Harley. Millwall 0-0 Brighton.

16:41

Darren Ward concedes a Penalty for a foul on Craig Mackail-Smith.

15:53

Jay Simpson challenges Lewis Dunk unfairly and gives away a free kick. Gordon Greer restarts play with the free kick.

13:47

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Ryan Harley, save made by David Forde.

11:41 Booking

Booking Brian Howard goes into the referee's book.

11:16

Lewis Dunk challenges Darius Henderson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Nadjim Abdou. Free kick awarded for a foul by Brian Howard on Liam Bridcutt. Direct free kick taken by Liam Bridcutt.

10:25

Foul by Darren Ward on Craig Mackail-Smith, free kick awarded. Liam Bridcutt takes the free kick.

9:54

Liam Bridcutt concedes a free kick for a foul on Jay Simpson. Free kick taken by Scott Barron.

8:53

Unfair challenge on Will Hoskins by Paul Robinson results in a free kick. Free kick crossed right-footed by Ryan Harley.

6:58

Darius Henderson produces a header from deep inside the six-yard box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

6:11

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Scott Barron by Matthew Sparrow. Scott Barron restarts play with the free kick.

5:16

The referee blows for offside. Gordon Greer takes the free kick.

4:34

Matthew Sparrow concedes a free kick for a foul on Jay Simpson. Paul Robinson takes the free kick.

2:37

Liam Bridcutt challenges Jay Simpson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Scott Barron.

1:20

Will Hoskins fouled by Liam Feeney, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Marcos Painter.

0:00

The referee gets the match started.

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