Leeds United 1 Millwall 0: Redfearn backs Morison to shine

Alex Mowatt celebrates his goal.Alex Mowatt celebrates his goal.
Alex Mowatt celebrates his goal.
Leeds head coach Neil Redfearn has backed Steve Morison to find his scoring touch despite another frustrating afternoon for the striker in the 1-0 win against Millwall.

The 31-year-old is still searching for his first goal since returning to Elland Road from Millwall in the summer, but a 39th-minute free-kick from youngster Alex Mowatt was enough to tame Ian Holloway’s Lions

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Morison had a host of opportunities in the second half but a mixture of careless finishing and desperate defending denied him the goal he so badly needs to complement the rest of his game.

Yet Redfearn said: “Steve will score. I genuinely believe that. I thought he was outstanding today. He led the line well and worked so hard.”

Mowatt’s goal, drilled in with his left foot from just outside the penalty box, arrived the day after his 20th birthday and Redfearn added: “In my view Alex was our best player and his free-kick was excellent. He and Charlie Taylor worked so well together on the left.

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“They and our other young players are developing all the time. They are so talented and at that age have the legs to run.”

Leeds’ win was their third in four league games and Redfearn is now looking to catch the teams above them in the table instead of peering over his shoulder at the relegation battle.

Millwall, however, remain in the bottom three and Redfearn said: “The game was tougher than it should have been.

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“I thought we were going to blow them away. It was as dynamic a start as we have had at home for a long time but they sucked us into a scrap at times.

“Other teams could go on a run but we are looking at some of the sides above us and maybe bridging that gap.”

An angry Holloway, meanwhile, demanded “respect” for his club from West Yorkshire Police after Millwall fans had to report to Woolley Edge service station to collect their tickets on the way to the ground.

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Only 200 Millwall supporters made the trip to Yorkshire but Holloway said he was proud of every one of them.

“Why should West Yorkshire Police treat us any differently from everybody else?” he asked. “I don’t understand. Are we so much worse?

“We are only treated like that by West Yorkshire Police. Can’t they police a Saturday match? We should be shown the utmost respect like everybody else. After all, the game has moved on and so has supporters’ behaviour, so what is the issue?

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“If I thought they (our fans) were a risk I wouldn’t be saying all this. I am proud of them.”

Martyn Woolford, wanted by Leeds in the January window, had several opportunities for Millwall but could not take them despite some excellent approach play.

Holloway admitted it was a frustrating day at the office, saying: “At least we are creating chances. But I am bitterly disappointed that we haven’t got a point.”