There was plenty of first team experience on show with Day, Bignot, Bean, Rowlands, Miller, Thorpe and McLeod all making the starting XI. Youngsters Lee Craig, Pay Kanyuka, Ryan Johnson and Shabazz Baidoo completed the team. There was a place on the bench for former Bristol City player Aaron Brown who has been with Rangers for what seems an eternity already.

The game was competitive from the off if lacking in quality. Kanyuka showed he was not for messing with after barely five minutes when he and Mark McCammon had a shoving match as a corner was due to be taken. Considering McCammon must weigh all of sixteen stone this was quite a show of bravado from a player who has yet to reach his seventeenth birthday.

Both sides came close to scoring in the first half, Day saved simple shots from McCammon and Kevin Braniff whilst at the other end Millwall keeper Terry Masterson turned away a low freekick from Martin Rowlands.

It was noticeable that the experienced players were helping their young counterparts through. Thorpe in particular was always giving advice to Baidoo and praising him whenever something came off. The same could be said of Gary Waddock who was extremely vocal as he tried to drive his team on.

Shortly after the break Rangers came within a whisker of scoring when throw in machine Adrian Serioux made a hash of a clearance. There seemed little danger as the Canadian tried to knock the ball out for a corner. He sliced his effort though and McLeod did well to turn the ball across goal. Baidoo challenged Masterson and the Lions keeper turned the ball over the top. In the course of the challenge though Baidoo seemed to turn an ankle and was replaced by Brown. He slotted in on the left wing with McLeod moving up front to partner Thorpe.

Rangers were soon in the lead thanks to an excellent goal from Martin Rowlands. Cutting in from the right, he evaded two challenges before bending the ball past Masterson with the outside of his right foot. During the game he and Miller had been switching between a central role and one on the right. Rowly looked equally at home in either, unfortunately Miller didn’t have the best game and was guilty of surrendering possession far too easily.

Brown had shown some nice touches but it was clear to see he had not played for a very long time. He was blowing after only ten minutes and did look a little weighty. Mind you, when you consider the fact that this was his first competitive action since 12^th March 2004 when a certain Marcus Bignot broke his leg whilst playing for Rushden!

With the game entering the last five minutes Rangers gave away a soft equaliser. Two Millwall subs, Trevor Robinson and Joe Healy combined, with the former crossing for the latter to nod home. The cross that was delivered went straight through the six yard box with Day once again rooted to his line. He must come and get this sort of ball, especially when he has two very young centre backs in front of him. It was pretty indicative of his poor form of late, he had been fine for almost ninety minutes but one lapse cost us.

Despite giving away a late goal there were some very good performances, especially from the youngsters. All of them acquitted themselves well; Lee Craig at left back was terrific, he seems strong in the tackle and uses the ball well. With him and Daniel Murphy we seem to have a couple of decent prospects in this area. Kanyuka and Johnson also did well against far more experienced opponents. Baidoo up front was full of running and linked well with Thorpe a couple of times.

As for the more experienced campaigners, Bignot was quality as usual, Rowlands was lively and took his goal well and Thorpe seemed sharp, although he tired as the game went on. Bean and Miller were disappointing, both of them gave the ball away far too often and McLeod drifted in and out of the game as he is prone to do. Aaron Brown showed some nice touches and when he gets fitter, much fitter; I think he will be a good addition to the squad.