Kenny Jackett: Millwall FA Cup run did not affect league form

Millwall's run to the FA Cup semi-finals has not affected their league form, according to boss Kenny Jackett.

Last month's 2-0 defeat by Wigan was one of nine matches the Lions played in April, while the majority of their Championship rivals played just six.

"It's too simplistic to say the cup run put us where we are and we'd never swap it anyway," he told BBC London 94.9.

"We've had a hectic schedule but it's not like we've had a bad season, I mean we've already got a good points tally."

He continued: "It's been so competitive this season. To have 56 points and still be in the relegation battle is unheard of.

"But I'm not surprised purely because you look at the Bristol City and Wolves situation. We are one of the smaller clubs in this league and have done really well to compete."

Millwall began 2013 with a 2-1 win over Bristol City, a victory which took them to seventh in the Championship and level on points with the team occupying the final play-off place, Watford.

Since then, they have picked up 16 points in 19 league matches while seeing off Preston North End, Aston Villa, Luton Town and Blackburn Rovers on their way to the FA Cup semi-finals.

Their drop in form could also be linked to the January departures of top-scorer Chris Wood and his strike partner Darius Henderson, who left for Leicester City and Nottingham Forest respectively.

But the Londoners still head into tomorrow's match at Derby knowing a point will be enough to avoid relegation to League One.

"We've done brilliantly," Jacket added. "To reach an FA Cup semi-final and have Championship survival in our hands ahead of the last day given our size is a great achievement.

"Like a number of clubs, if we survive we won't be too many points away from the play-offs.

"In the summer, everyone who stayed up will be looking at that small gap because ultimately all of our dreams are to structure and build a club that can get into the Premier League."