Football: Campbell drives home to rescue Arsenal

Arsenal. . . 1

Millwall. . .1

THEY WILL know better in future than to ridicule George Graham's substitutions. On came Kevin Campbell to a chorus of booing from the Arsenal supporters because Anders Limpar was departing in the opposite direction, yet 12 minutes from time it was the No 14 they did not want who brought his side a barely deserved equaliser in the Coca-Cola Cup.

It was about the only thing that came right for the Arsenal manager who was so nearly embarrassed by the Docklands club where he established his credentials as a winner. A la Wrexham, the visitors from the First Division took the game to the Premier Leaguers and can count themselves unlucky not to have taken home an advantage for the return leg. That looked certain to be their prize from a night of admirable endeavour until Campbell strode on to Paul Merson's pass to drive his shot through the legs of Kasey Keller.

Sad that because until then it had been Cosy Keller, the American goalkeeper well protected by his defenders and demonstrating excellent reflexes to deny Merson and Alan Smith. Then, as Arsenal raised the siege, he was found wanting. 'He had a great game and he's made one mistake. So what? It happens to all of us,' said the Millwall player-manager, Mick McCarthy, who was not so charitable with regard to Ian Wright.

The striker with designs on an England shirt was booked for a bad foul on Colin Cooper, involved in several skirmishes and later needed treatment to his face after being struck by a coin thrown from the crowd.

Fortified by Arsenal's defensive insecurities, Millwall should have led through Tony Dolby midway through the first half and did so seven minutes after the interval via 18-year-old Andy Roberts. He met a swinging cross with his head and then reacted sharpest to seize the bouncing ball and finish with a shot that looped over David Seaman.

Arsenal: Seaman; Dixon, Winterburn, Parlour, Bould, Adams, Hillier, Wright, Smith, Merson, Limpar (Campbell, 66). Substitute not used: Pates.

Millwall: Keller; Cunningham, Dawes, May, Cooper, Stevens, Roberts, Dolby (McGinlay, 76), Allen, Goodman, Barber. Substitute not used: Holsgrove.

Referee: J Borrett (Norfolk).

(Photograph omitted)