Bent keeps Ipswich on even keel

Millwall 1 Ipswich Town 1

George Burley left the New Den confident that Ipswich are a strong bet to bounce back into the Premiership this season after seeing his side, with Matt Holland firmly back in the fold, prove their potential with a plucky comeback in an enthralling encounter with Millwall.

"The First Division is tough but we have youngsters with a lot of talent who will learn from games like today," said Burley, who picked out Darren Ambrose and Darren Bent for special praise.

With the Premiership high-life already a distant memory, however, Burley knows his promising youngsters will leave Portman Road if the price is right. "We'll have to take each game as it comes, but everyone knows the financial situation is difficult," he added.

From the whistle all eyes were trained on the current focus of that difficult financial situation, Holland – who has not yet decided whether to stay at Portman Road or not. But it was Millwall's Paul Ifill who dominated the early proceedings, with the home side, yet to find the net in their first three league games this season, looking bright and confident.

Millwall began with a period of relentless pressure and were rewarded in the fourth minute when a powerful run by Neil Harris culminated in a pinpoint cross to the far post which the 18-year-old Ben May side-footed home with aplomb.

The home side thought they had doubled their lead on 24 minutes when Andy Roberts' floated cross from the left was headed in powerfully by Tim Cahill. But the celebrations were cut short when the referee, Steve Baines, pointed out his assistant's raised flag.

Ipswich were not prepared to lie down and went into the break with boosted confidence after a chance for Marcus Bent on 42 minutes was tipped over by Warner. Indeed, Ipswich came out for the second half looking like a different side.

Strong pressure from the enlivened visitors was rewarded when they struck back on 55 minutes following good work from Ambrose which found Marcus Bent, whose neat flick-on saw his namesake Darren drive home his first goal of the season from 14 yards out.

As soon as the strike went in, George Burley introduced the Nigerian international Finidi George and Pablo Counago for Marcus Bent and Marcus Stewart and the game exploded into life, with both sides driving forward, looking eager to grab the points. Ambrose was a constant thorn in Millwall's side and he drew a magnificent fingertip save from Tony Warner low to his left on the hour before forcing the goalkeeper to block bravely at his feet five minutes later.

Although Ifill and Ambrose came close towards the end, the efforts of a relentless 80 minutes looked to have taken its toll on both sides, and the game drifted away, with both managers perhaps content to take the point.

Millwall 1
May 4

Ipswich Town 1
D Bent 55

Half-time: 1-0 Attendance: 8,097