Honours were even in the first leg of this League Play-Off semi-final after Lee Clark's Town and Kenny Jackett's Millwall at the Galpharm Stadium.

Clear-cut chances were scarce during a tough and tight encounter between two evenly matched sides and next Tuesday's game at the New Den will now decide who advances to the final.

The referee's first involvement in the game was to award Millwall a free-kick in the 3^rd minute. A foul by big Neal Trotman gave the Lions a free-kick 20 yards inside Town's half. Midfielder Scott Barron stood over the ball and hit an accurate long cross towards Steve Morison. The striker rose well and headed the ball towards goal, unfortunately for Morison, the header didn't have enough power on it to trouble Town's custodian Alex Smithies.

Town responded well to Morison's effort with winger Gary Roberts causing David Forde to pull off a good save to prevent his cross landing on a Town head. The rebound very nearly dropped to Jordan Rhodes on the edge of the box but good defending by the Millwall defence prevented Rhodes from pulling the trigger.

Town continued to dominate the early exchanges. The Terriers won two corners in succession as they looked to try and find the opener. Unfortunately for Town, Anthony Pilkington's attempted corners were both cleared well by a solid Millwall defence.

In the 14^th minute the Terriers created the best opening of the game. Slick interplay between Roberts and Lee Novak found Danny Drinkwater with time and space in Forde's penalty area. To the credit of the Millwall defence they closed the midfielder down quickly and rushed him into hitting a tame shot straight at the Millwall 'keeper.

After soaking up Town's early pressure Millwall began to get a foothold in the game. In the 18^th minute good work by the Lions left back Tony Craig rewarded them with their first corner of the game. Millwall packed Town's box with their big men, however, to the relief of Town's defence they cleared the ball with ease.

Following a quiet period of play Town clicked the game back into life thanks to some brilliant workman like play from Lee Novak - in the 26^th minute. The striker pounced on a bouncing ball and attacked the Millwall goal. His cut back across the Millwall box looked perfect for the on-rushing Jordan Rhodes. Rhodes got their first but good defending from the tracking Millwall defender forced the striker to hit the ball over the bar.

BOOKING - Millwall's captain Paul Robinson received the first caution of the game in the 29^th minute. The defender cynically bought down Rhodes which left referee Deadman no choice but to book the Lions skipper. From the resulting free-kick Drinkwater forced Forde into a brilliant low save to his right. The on loan Manchester United midfielder hit an excellent curling free-kick which looked destined for the goal. However, Millwall's 'keeper Forde had other ideas pulling off a fantastic diving save to keep the scores level.

Millwall upped the ante towards the end of the first half winning a succession of corners. The third came in the 39^th minute and was taken by Barron. However, just like the previous two corners it was defended well by Town's backline.

HALF TIME: TOWN 0 MILLWALL 0

The opening exchanges of the second 45 were fairly even, with neither side keeping possession of the ball for a good period of time. The first half chance on goal fell to the visitors, however, good defending through a combination of Tom Clarke and Smithies thwarted the Millwall pressure.

Millwall continued to show their speed in attack when a quick breakaway in the 53^rd minute forced Smithies into his first save of the game. A good cross field pass by Morison released Neil Harris down Town's right. The veteran forward attacked Town's box before hitting a low drive towards Smithies goal, luckily for Town's custodian the shot wasn't as powerful as it has first seemed and he gathered it up easily.

In the 56^th minute, Town hit back with an effort of their own through Jordan Rhodes. A brilliant cross with his weaker foot by Pilkington landed on the foot of Rhodes. The striker hit the ball on the full from the 18 yard spot but could only manage to sky his shot well over the bar. To be fair to Rhodes the effort was a tough one and would have been a superb strike had he got it on target.

Despite Town's effort Millwall continued to dominate proceedings. From a corner in the 62^nd minute Neil Harris thought he had opened the scoring for the visitors. However, to the relief of the Town faithful referee Deadman spotted that the ageing striker had illegally handled the ball to force the cross into the net.

BOOKING - Neil Harris received the second booking of the game for the Lions as a result of his hand ball from the corner.

Harris's infringement seemed to spur on Town, who before the disallowed goal had looked to be lacking in confidence. A blocked Antony Kay shot in the 64^th minute meant Town were awarded their first corner of the half. Although Millwall defended the initial corner well, Town thought they had opened the scoring when Lee Novak slammed the ball home from 6 yards. However, to the disbelief of Novak, the referee had flagged for an earlier offside when the ball had been knocked back in.

SUB - Kenny Jackett made his first change of the game by replacing Neil Harris with another striker in Gary Alexander - in the 70^th minute.

As the game neared its conclusion it was obvious both sides were tiring with both teams struggling to keep hold of the ball. In the 83^rd minute Town were to have the first meaningful effort on goal in around ten minutes of play. An excellent curling free-kick by Pilkington found the head of Rhodes. Sadly for Jordan his header was directly at 'keeper Forde, if his effort had gone either side he could well have opened the scoring.

BOOKING - Millwall received their third booking of the game in the 86^th minute. Substitute Gary Alexander was cautioned for dissent after referee Deadman had awarded Town a free-kick.

SUB - Lee Clark was forced to make two changes to his side in the 87^th minute. Both Tom Clark and Danny Drinkwater were forced off with injuries. Clark bought on Robbie Williams and Michael Collins to replace the departing players.

Town finished the game strongest with a flurry of chances, the best fell to Pilkington, whose drive in the 93^rd minute was powerful but straight at David Forde.

FULL TIME - TOWN 0 MILLWALL 0

Millwall Booking: P, Robinson (29), N, Harris (62), G, Alexander (86)

Gate: 14,654

Away: 1,816

Town's Team (4-4-2):

Alex Smithies; Lee Peltier, Peter Clarke (c), Neal Trotman, Tom Clarke (Robbie Williams 87); Gary Roberts, Antony Kay, Danny Drinkwater (Michael Collins 87), Anthony Pilkington; Lee Novak, Jordan Rhodes

Unused Subs: Simon Eastwood, Nathan Clarke, Theo Robinson, Robbie Simpson, Nathan Eccleston