Another strong line up saw Day in goal behind a back four of Bignot, Johnson, Fletcher and Brown. With only one striker in the side Rangers deployed five across midfield with Miller and Farr playing slightly ahead of a middle three of Rowlands, Bean and Zadkovich. Thorpe was left to plough a lone furrow with the aforementioned Farr and Miller supporting when they could. Kevin McLeod was missing for some reason from the line up announced yesterday.

The first half was a dour affair with neither side managing to force the keepers into meaningful action. Youth team midfielder Zadkovich came close with a header but the young Aussie saw his effort drift wide.

The second half was livelier from the off and Millwall soon took the lead through Mark McCammon. As with last weeks game he had been nothing short of abysmal until he found space between Brown and Fletcher to thrash a low shot in via the post. You could almost smell the fear as he went to strike it and he was grateful to see the ball in the net rather than the stand as most people expected.

Thorpe almost replied immediately as he seized on a fine ball from the left from Sonny Farr. He didn’t get the purchase he wanted on his header though and Millwall keeper Alan Brooks saved well from point blank range.

Millwall came close again when Canadian Adrian Serioux ran into space and smashed a shot at goal. Day did well to get something on the ball and was happy to see the post come to his rescue on this occasion with the ball bouncing to safety. Day then saved well again from Mark Quigley when he found space inside the eighteen yard box.

Ten minutes from time Rangers found themselves back on level terms thanks to a quality strike from Tony Thorpe. A long ball from the back was controlled expertly by Thorpe and before the ball could reach the ground he steered a delicious lob over Brooks and into the net. In truth it was a little more than Rangers deserved as their passing had often been ragged and they created very little.

Millwall very nearly snatched it late on when yet another strike from range clattered off the woodwork, this time the bar denied Quigley with Day well beaten. I don’t think anybody would have argued had this one gone in as often Millwall were the better side all over the park.

There were some encouraging displays once again. Day was very vocal, something he has not been in the past, as was Bignot who took to the captains role well. Aaron Brown got a good hour under his belt at left back and looked very comfortable on the ball. He also looks to have decent delivery on set pieces. Johnson was calm and needed to be alongside Fletcher who seems to have regressed since last season.

The midfield of Bean, Rowlands and Zadkovich didn’t create much although Beany made a ton of forward runs. Youngster Zadkovich seems comfortable on the ball and looks like he loves a tackle. Farr did well although being so slight meant he was knocked off of the ball a lot. Miller drifted in and out of the game, though mainly out. Thorpe took his goal brilliantly and was a willing worker in a lone role that he is hardly suited to.