Warnock hits out at authorities after Millwall fans run riot

Queen's Park Rangers 0 Millwall

Warnock's side sit top of the table (REUTERS)

On a busy night for the Metropolitan Police, Millwall succeeded in becoming the first club to come away from Loftus Road with a point this season. Neil Warnock's side still lead the Championship table by a healthy six points and therefore remain on course for a long-awaited return to the top flight.

But Kenny Jackett's Lions deserved praise for their resilience, and also had enough second-half opportunities to have taken all three points. That wasn't the only talking point however, as the occasion was marred both beforehand and directly afterwards by violence.

A heavy police presence was noticeable around the ground before kick-off and helicopters buzzed over it as the game progressed. And on the final whistle, Millwall fans battled with officers outside while others managed to gain access to a section of the home support, reducing women and children to tears.

At least 11 arrests were made, with reports of a public house being significantly damaged nearby filtering back to the ground.

Warnock questioned the decision to stage such a combustible fixture on a Tuesday night, especially as police resources were already stretched by Chelsea's Champions League fixture with Marseilles.

"It doesn't make sense – and you'll never get any sense out of them," he said of the authorities. "It will be a computer or somebody who has never kicked a football or thought about fans."

Warnock was also of the opinion that his side had been sufficiently in the ascendancy to have claimed all three points, and Rangers' first-half performance certainly bore that out.

Millwall goalkeeper David Forde was a busy man, making an early block with his legs to deny midfielder Akos Buszaky after Heidur Helguson, the forward, had headed the game's first chance wide.

The Irishman ended the half with a similar save after Kyle Walker's cut-back had given Jamie Mackie, Rangers' top scorer, a sight of goal.

The Hoops began the second period with vigour but their efforts produced a string of corners rather than a breakthrough goal, especially as Clint Hill wastefully put a free header over from one of them.

The visitors ended the encounter having almost won it themselves, however, as Paddy Kenny, the Rangers goalkeeper, was suddenly needed to keep out efforts from Steve Morison, Danny Schofield and finally Chris Hackett.

Joe Gallen, Millwall's assistant manager and brother of former Rangers favourite Kevin Gallen, was delighted with his players' performance but would not be drawn on the supporters' behaviour.

"I'm only talking about the football because that's all I know about," he said. "We were absolutely delighted not to concede and to get a point."

Queens Park Rangers (4-2-3-1): Kenny; Walker, Gorkss, Connolly, Hill; Derry, Buzsaky (Leigertwood, 85); Mackie, Taarabt, Ephraim (Agyemang, 90); Helguson. Substitutes not used Cerny (gk), Rowlands, T Smith, Borrowdale, Parker.

Millwall (4-1-4-1): Forde; Dunne, P Robinson, Ward, Craig; Mkandawire; Hackett, Schofield, Abdou, Barron (Harris, 64); Morison. Substitutes not used Mildenhall (gk), Henry, Grimes, J Smith, Laird, T Robinson.

Referee L Probert (Wiltshire).