Millwall were held to a 1-1 draw by Wigan Athletic in their first game back at the Den following the World Cup break.
Wigan broke the deadlock through Will Keane in the 33rd minute, but the Lions were back on level terms when Zian Flemming thundered home a volley five minutes before half time.
The draw leaves the Lions in seventh place, one point behind Watford, who they visit on Boxing Day.
The visitors started the game the better side. James McClean’s deflected shot forced George Long into an early save, with the visitors unable to produce anything from the resulting corner. Two minutes later, after Andreas Voglsammer’s free-kick was cleared, Mason Bennett fired in a low shot which Jamie Jones saved comfortably.
The Lions continued to improve and almost took the lead, but Jones tipped Voglsammer’s cross over the bar. On 12 minutes, Bennett curled an effort from inside the box, but Jones again was left with a comfortable save. Three minutes later, the Wigan keeper was again called into action, parrying away Tom Bradshaw’s shot.
Millwall continued to battle away as Bradshaw headed over Voglsammer’s cross in the 23rd minute.
11 minutes later, Wigan took the lead. A neat passage on the edge of the Millwall box between Callum Laing and Will Keane ended with the former Manchester United man slotting past Long from Laing’s pass with Long grounded.
Bennett was causing problems for Wigan, and two minutes after they fell behind, Millwall should have been level. Bennett’s cross was perfect for the on-rushing Voglsammer, but he headed wide of the target – still searching for his first Millwall goal.
However, Millwall did get back on terms 10 minutes before the break. McNamara’s cross was taken down brilliantly by Bradshaw to tee up Flemming, who buried his volley into the top corner, leaving Jones with no chance.
It would be Flemming who had the first chance of the second half. His fierce free-kick stung the palms of Jones. In the 53rd minute, Billy Mitchell fired an effort straight at Jones after some great work on the flank by Bennett. Just before the hour mark, McNamara fancied his chances from outside the box, but his effort was just wide of the far post.
Wigan forced a few corners and forced Long into a superb stop from Tom Naylor in the 67th minute but other than that, despite forcing several corners and dominating possession, failed to test the Lions stopper.
In the end, neither side could force a winner.
Image: Millwall FC