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Wembley bound: Millwall players celebrate after their dramatic clash with Leeds at Elland Road

Kenny Jackett wants measured approach to play-off final

Jeremy Cross
15 May 2009


Leeds 1-1 Millwall (Millwall win 2-1 on aggregate and play MK Dons or Scunthorpe in the League One Play-off Final at Wembley on 24 May)

Kenny Jackett called for calm after watching Millwall overcome Leeds to reach the League One play-off final at Wembley.

The Lions finally ended their play-off hoodoo by securing a 1-1 draw at Elland Road to keep alive their dreams of winning promotion back to the Championship after a three-year absence.

The match was marred by more violent scenes after a pitch invasion in the first leg at The Den.

More than 1,000 Leeds supporters gathered opposite the Billy Bremner statue outside the ground after the match, where missiles including stones and gravel were thrown at police officers.

Leeds officials will also study video evidence in a bid to identify those responsible for throwing coins at Millwall goalkeeper David Forde during the second-half with the incident expected to spark an investigation from the Football Association.

Forde had the last laugh, however, saving a penalty from Jermaine Beckford to help book Jackett's side a place in the final at Wembley on 24 May, where they will play either MK Dons or Scunthorpe, who meet tonight.

Luciano Becchio put the home side ahead and level on aggregate before Jimmy Abdou wrote himself into Lions folklore with the decisive equaliser 17 minutes from time.

Jackett, celebrating reaching the club's first play-off final at the fifth attempt, admitted he would let his squad toast their win on the long journey home but insisted he wanted his players to avoid getting carried away.

He said: “There is no secret to this success, it's all just down to hard work and honesty. I want the players to remember this. We don't have a preference who we face in the final now, we just have to focus on ourselves and have the right mentality to go to Wembley and do a good job.

“We've come a long way. Last year we narrowly avoided relegation and now we are in the play-off final, so we need to remember this and appreciate what we've done. It's important we focus on ourselves and what we have to do.”

The triumph was especially sweet for Forde, who was lucky to escape serious injury when he was elbowed in the face by Beckford during the League game between the sides at Elland Road earlier this season.

Forde has been an ever-present this season and Jackett added: “He's been a good, consistent performer for us, who has played in every game, although I don't want to tempt fate by saying that.”

Other heroes included striker Gary Alexander, was only passed fit to play on the coach journey up to Yorkshire after informing Jackett he had recovered from illness, and Zak Whitbread who helped keep the proflific Beckford quiet.

Despite an intimidating atmosphere generated by a record crowd of more than 37,000, Jackett's men refused to buckle, even though Abdou's fourth goal of the season represented his side's only shot on target in the second half. Leeds have now suffered play-off heartbreak three times in the last four seasons.

Reader views (3)

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Well done you fantastic Lions,

- Joe, Swanley Kent, 15/05/2009 17:11
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Keith Price you are just like all those people in the media who think Millwall are fair game to slag off.

Liverpool supporter chucks a bottle at a Chelsea player in FAC semi-final watched by hundred of millions around the World and smashed parts of Old Trafford, yet nothing is mentioned in the papers. Millwall supporter chucks an unlit cigarette at a Leeds player and you would have though World War 3 had broken out! Even at the recent Hull v Millwall game when there was trouble Millwall still got in the neck despite the fact it was Hull supporters who started chucking seats at Millwall.

Still Millwall have, as have Leeds, played in the Championship a few years back and even in the old First Division with minimal trouble but it's OK for the Keith Prices of this World just to point finger at Millwall because it's easy as every time Millwall is mentioned they drag up some video from twenty five years ago or sensationalist headlines written by lazy reporters!

Why do we never see pictures of Liverpool supporters at Hysel or away supporters at Anfield with darts sticking in them. The answer is simply because Millwall are Millwall and the deaths of 39 Italian supporters by the media's favourite club can be glossed over for the benefit of the status quo.

If you care about football as much as you claim why would you want Franchise FC to win through?

- Mark, South-East London, 15/05/2009 15:38
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I don't know what is worse - having the Millwall or the Leeds yobs in the Champioship. Let's hope MK Dons or Scunthorpe make it through at Wembley, for the good of the game

- Keith Price, Luton, England, 15/05/2009 12:49
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