Millwall midfielder Tim Cahill had a goal ruled out by referee Eddie Ilderton
as the Lions ground out a goalless draw at Wigan.
With just 12 minutes left, the Australian, who has been linked with a move to
the Premiership, had his goal disallowed for a foul on John Filan after a Dennis
Wise corner sparked a goalmouth scramble.
Player-manager Wise has brought consistency to the New Den in recent weeks and
the Lions extended their impressive run to one defeat in seven matches as they
aim to launch a new year play-off push.
Paul Jewell's Wigan continued their nosedive and have now won just twice in 11
games since topping the table in early November.
Having missed out on strikers Nicky Forster, Brett Ormerod and with Geoff
Horsfield having left for promotion rivals West Brom, Jewell appears to be close
to finally capturing Albion forward Jason Roberts, who preferred a loan move to
Premiership Portsmouth at the beginning of the season.
After a crude David Livermore tackle on Gary Teale, Nicky Eaden's free-kick
from the right found Jason De Vos, but Tony Warner pushed away the imposing
Canadian's header.
But Millwall striker Kevin Braniff spurned the best chance of the first half
on eight minutes.
The 20-year-old striker inexcusably dragged his shot wide of Filan's goal
after De Vos and Ian Breckin had mis-judged Kevin Muscat's long clearance.
Wise, whose appetite for the game is still evident, was booked along with Alan
Rogers following a nasty off-the-ball incident between the two.
The former England international's resulting free-kick found Darren Ward,
whose header forced a smart save from Australian Filan. The hosts were largely
in control, but unable to create clear-cut chances - their best of the opening
period coming when Teale sliced his shot wide of the past after Warner had saved
well low down from Nathan Ellington.
And it was Ellington who went close again at the beginning of the second
period, turning well after a quickly-taken Teale free-kick, but hitting his shot
just outside the near post.
Apart from a Braniff breakaway, Wigan spent the first 10 minutes after the
break camped in the Millwall half, but again they were struggling to prize open
an increasingly defensive Millwall.
As the home side continued to press, Jimmy Bullard's far-post cross from the
right found Neil Roberts, but the Welshman saw his improvised left-footed effort
come back off the bar.
And after a rare foray forward by Millwall, it was again Teale who raced down
the right flank, crossing for substitute Mike Flynn who scuffed his finish from
close range. But it ended yet again in frustration for the Latics.
Teams
Wigan Filan, Eaden (Mitchell 53), Breckin, De Vos,
Rogers (Baines 45), Teale, Bullard, Jarrett,
McCulloch (Flynn 70), Roberts, Ellington.
Subs Not Used: Walsh, Jackson.
Booked: Rogers.
Millwall Warner, Muscat, Ward, Roberts (Ifill 58), Lawrence,
Cahill, Wise, Livermore, Sweeney (Ryan 58),
Harris (Elliott 90), Braniff.
Subs Not Used: Gueret, Fofana.
Booked: Livermore, Wise, Cahill, Warner.
Att: 7,047
Ref: E Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).
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