Match ends, Millwall 1, Queens Park Rangers 1.
MillwallMillwall1QPRQueens Park Rangers1
Millwall supporters cheered and clapped as players from their side and QPR linked arms to hold an anti-racism banner before playing out a draw at The Den.
Four days after some Lions fans booed players taking a knee before the loss to Derby County, the clubs decided to show solidarity prior to kick-off, with QPR's players also taking a knee.
The pre-match focus, on what Millwall described as "one of the most important days in the club's history", was always going to overshadow a game between two struggling Championship sides.
Ilias Chair's glorious second-half strike, which he celebrated by taking a knee, provided welcome and memorable relief after a forgettable first half and set the visitors on their way to avoiding a fourth consecutive league defeat.
The Lions, who are now winless in nine matches, levelled when substitute Jon Dadi Bodvarsson scored with a deflected shot after a quick free-kick on the right.
Millwall looked the more likely to find a late winner, but neither were able to create any clear chances.
The hosts were quicker off the mark as a tense London derby started promisingly, Tottenham loanee Troy Parrott twice having shots well saved by keeper Seny Dieng, while Shaun Williams also sent a rasping strike just wide.
But QPR settled and were more fluent in their passing with Dominic Ball seeing a shot kept out by Lions keeper Bartosz Bialkowski.
Rangers remained the more threatening after the break and Chair's fabulous 20-yard effort - following a clever one-two with Tom Carroll - relaxed them further.
Lyndon Dykes missed a great chance to make it 2-0, shooting straight at Bialkowski after more great work by the impressive Chair.
The miss proved costly as Lions boss Gary Rowett brought on towering striker Bodvarsson and Matt Smith and the former slotted the equaliser via the unfortunate Osman Kakay from Jed Wallace's cross.
The most notable action then came after the final whistle when an emotional Lions defender Mahlon Romeo, who said Saturday's booing had "personally disrespected" and "offended" him, walked off holding aloft a shirt with the 'Kick It Out' logo on it and showed it to the crowd.
'It's been difficult for people at the club'
"It's been a difficult few days, but I thought we responded positively," Millwall boss Gary Rowett told BBC Radio London. "I thought he showed a little bit of fight to score the goal and react in a positive way."
On Mahlon Romeo leading the team out: "It was my idea. I felt that was an important message that he did that. I think he's shown some real intelligence and passion in recent days and has been part of a lot of the decisions we've made as a club.
"It was important we stood behind him and all of the players and it was important we tried to come out with some positivity in how we tackled it. I'm proud of the team.
"It's been difficult for people at the club who have had to deal with a lot of things and I've felt for them.
"It was horrendous and difficult for anyone associate with Millwall. Today, we've tried to stand up and move forward in a positive way."
QPR manager Mark Warburton told BBC Radio London:
"I thought it was a great reaction from everyone concerned. It showed two teams united against any form of discrimination.
"A lot of credit must go to Millwall and QPR as clubs, the two CEOs have been talking regularly and you saw the players stand shoulder-to-shoulder against that."
On his players taking a knee to celebrate the goal: "That was their own choice. These guys are men, not kids, who make their own decisions.
"I thought tonight you saw a really good reaction for what is such an important subject."
Line-ups
Millwall
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 33Bialkowski
- 4Hutchinson
- 15PearceSubstituted forBödvarssonat 64'minutes
- 5Cooper
- 12Romeo
- 19Woods
- 6WilliamsSubstituted forSmithat 64'minutes
- 14Malone
- 7J WallaceSubstituted forBureyat 89'minutes
- 20BennettSubstituted forLeonardat 64'minutes
- 25ParrottSubstituted forBradshawat 74'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Fielding
- 3M Wallace
- 8Thompson
- 9Bradshaw
- 10Smith
- 11Ferguson
- 18Leonard
- 22Bödvarsson
- 32Burey
QPR
Formation 4-3-3
- 13Dieng
- 24Kakay
- 4Dickie
- 6BarbetBooked at 75mins
- 25Hämäläinen
- 12BallBooked at 16mins
- 20Cameron
- 22CarrollSubstituted forThomasat 77'minutes
- 11Osayi-Samuel
- 9Dykes
- 10ChairSubstituted forBonneat 77'minutesBooked at 90mins
Substitutes
- 2Kane
- 7Bonne
- 19Thomas
- 21Willock
- 23Masterson
- 26Bettache
- 29Kelman
- 32Kelly
- 37Adomah
- Referee:
- Jarred Gillett
- Attendance:
- 2,000
Match Stats
Home TeamMillwallAway TeamQPR
- Possession
- Home54%
- Away46%
- Shots
- Home17
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away6
- Corners
- Home2
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home6
- Away16
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Millwall 1, Queens Park Rangers 1.
Booking
Macauley Bonne (Queens Park Rangers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Mahlon Romeo (Millwall) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Macauley Bonne (Queens Park Rangers).
Post update
Tyler Burey (Millwall) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by George Thomas (Queens Park Rangers).
Post update
Attempt blocked. Ryan Leonard (Millwall) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Ryan Leonard (Millwall) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Tyler Burey.
Substitution
Substitution, Millwall. Tyler Burey replaces Jed Wallace.
Post update
Hand ball by Yoann Barbet (Queens Park Rangers).
Post update
Attempt missed. Matt Smith (Millwall) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Ryan Woods with a cross.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Mahlon Romeo (Millwall) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ryan Leonard.
Post update
Attempt saved. Matt Smith (Millwall) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jed Wallace.
Post update
Tom Bradshaw (Millwall) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Geoff Cameron (Queens Park Rangers).
Post update
Attempt missed. Tom Bradshaw (Millwall) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Scott Malone with a cross.
Substitution
Substitution, Queens Park Rangers. Macauley Bonne replaces Ilias Chair.
Substitution
Substitution, Queens Park Rangers. George Thomas replaces Tom Carroll.
Booking
Yoann Barbet (Queens Park Rangers) is shown the yellow card.
