Jackett hails Simpson strike

Kenny Jackett: Millwall boss wants gis team to start taking their chances

Millwall boss Kenny Jackett praised the impact of Jay Simpson after he rescued a point against Brighton but insisted they need to start turning draws into wins.

The former Arsenal trainee hit a thumping volley after 81 minutes to cancel out Craig Noone's earlier strike after Ryan Harley had fluffed a first-half penalty.

The Lions failed to show a cutting edge for the majority of the game as they missed countless chances in the first half to illustrate why they have just one win this term.

He said: "I thought we had clear-cut chances in the first half, I understand they missed a penalty but we missed two of the best chances.

"At the moment they can't go in. We were disappointed with the goal defensively but I have to say it is a fantastic goal by Jay.

"It was a good performance from him - he worked really hard and made credible steps towards [match] fitness. I am pleased for him.

"I thought he did well when he came on against Middlesbrough on Saturday and that goal tonight I think really gave him a lot of confidence.

Sharp

"He looked sharp tonight and looked strong. He gave us a threat.

"We have drawn a lot of games but we are close. We need to improve but have drawn against Middlesbrough and Brighton who are not bad sides - and we had chances against both.

"We are aware we do want to turn draws into wins."

In the 12th minute Darren Ward brought down Craig Mackail-Smith inside the box only for Harley to fire his penalty straight at David Forde.

Millwall missed golden opportunities through Tamika Mkandawire and Liam Trotter and they would be made to pay for those misses when Noone volleyed in Mackail-Smith's delightful right-wing cross.

But Simpson conjured a goal out of nothing to leave the Seagulls without a win in seven, much to the frustration of manager Gus Poyet.

The Uruguayan said: "It has been the story of the last few weeks.

Matter

"It does not matter how we play or if we score first, at the end of the day you need to hold in there and finish the game.

"We had the chance to put this bad run behind us and we did not.

"We knew it was going to be difficult and had to defend plenty of balls into the box so it was a big task.

"But in the second half, we were in total control and it was only one way. We had the ball all the time and there was no danger but it was not to be.

"I did not see it [the penalty] I don't know if it hit his foot.

"The penalty taker [Ashley Barnes] was not on the pitch today and I saw Ryan scoring so many in his career so I thought it was the right choice - but I was completely wrong."