Substitute Richard Sadlier grabbed a late equaliser to earn Millwall a deserved point against Burnley, and prevent a fifth-straight Nationwide Division One defeat for the Lions.

Ian Moore's first-half goal looked to have preserved Burnley's play-off chances, but Sadlier netted from close range seven minutes from time to earn a share of the spoils.

The Lions, still smarting from their 5-0 home hammering by leaders Portsmouth at the weekend, started brightly against a Burnley side who had one eye on Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final clash with Watford.

But it was Stan Ternent's team who took the lead with the game's first real chance after good link-up play between Gareth Taylor and livewire striker Moore.

Taylor found the former Stockport hitman out wide, and he cut inside before lashing home at the second attempt after his first shot was blocked by a defender.

Millwall desperately tried to get back into the game, and veteran striker Steve Claridge missed a glorious opportunity to equalise when he headed over from close range after a good run and cross from Neil Harris on the half hour.

Millwall turned the screw, and the visitors had Beresford to thank for maintaining their lead when he saved Darren Ward's strong header from another Reid cross three minutes later, and then parried Harris' shot five minutes before the interval.

Reid almost caught Beresford out with an inswinging cross soon after, before Burnley midfielder Paul Cook tested Lions goalkeeper Tony Warner from 20 yards just before the break.

Mark McGhee's side picked up the tempo after the restart, with Reid and Paul Ifill firing just wide from long range.

Lions substitute Sadlier almost had an instant impact after going on for Claridge on 52 minutes, but his clever header was tipped over by Beresford less than two minutes after his arrival.

Reid fired just over with a free-kick on the hour, before David Livermore headed Christophe Kinet's cross onto the crossbar from six yards.

Millwall finally got their just desserts on 83 minutes when Sadlier fired home after a scramble in the box, and almost won it soon after when Robert Ryan just failed to connect from close range.

Teams

Millwall: Warner, Ryan, Ward, Dunne, Robinson, Ifill (Kinet 66), Livermore, Reid, Wise (Roberts 66), Harris, Claridge (Sadlier 52).

Subs Not Used: Gueret, Hearn.

Goals: Sadlier 84.

Burnley: Beresford, West, Diallo, Cox, Branch, Grant, Cook (Weller 55), Briscoe, Taylor, Ian Moore (Little 55), Alan Moore (Blake 63).

Subs Not Used: Michopoulos, McGregor.

Booked: Cox, Little, Weller, West, Taylor, Grant.

Goals: Ian Moore 18.

Att: 6,045

Ref: M Cooper (West Midlands).