Millwall boss Alex Neil happy with ‘gritty’ win over Watford

Millwall boss Alex Neil admitted his side were hanging on at the end of their “gritty” 1-0 win over Watford.

Camiel Neghli’s 20-yard free-kick bagged the Lions their first points at the Den this season having lost their first two home matches in the Championship against Middlesbrough and Wrexham without scoring.

But having had a penalty appeal turned down when Macaulay Langstaff was pulled back by Kevin Keben, they were indebted to a point-blank save from goalkeeper Steven Benda in the last minute.

“In the first half we were good value and played well. The second half was more gritty in terms of hanging on, some of them were on their last legs,” said Neil.

“I thought we should have had a penalty at the end of the game. Horrific decision. It’s a penalty and a red card.

“But I thought we deserved the win over the piece. They had one chance from a corner which shouldn’t have happened, but thankfully for us Steven made the save.”

The winner came in the ninth minute after Derek Mazou-Sacko, making his league debut, was brought down by new Hornets defender Nampalys Mendy on the edge of the box.

Algeria Under-23 international Neghli stepped up and curled a superb free-kick over the wall and underneath Egil Selvik’s crossbar.

It was not exactly a rocket into the top corner but Norwegian keeper Selvik still got nowhere near it and instead ended up banging his head on the far post.

Selvik was allowed to continue after receiving treatment, but he was replaced at half-time with Nathan Baxter sent on.

Millwall should have had a second when Ryan Leonard fizzed in a low cross from the right, but Josh Coburn lifted his finish over the bar from six yards out.

Watford went close 10 minutes from time when Nestory Irankunda’s long-range drive forced a save from Benda and Caleb Wiley skied the rebound.

Millwall were screaming for a spot-kick late on when Langstaff hit the deck but their appeals were waved away.

Then came Watford’s big chance, when Luca Kjerrumgaard prodded a corner goalwards and Benda instinctively stuck out a leg to block on the line.

The Hornets have won only once under new boss Paulo Pezzolano, who said: “I feel we deserved something. The team made a big effort physically.

“The finishing will come. It is part of the process. These players deserved more.”