Swansea City 0-0 Millwall: Swans still seek first home win
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Swansea have won just one of their last nine home league games, with that victory coming against Derby County in May
Swansea City are still searching for a first home win in the Championship under manager Russell Martin after they were held 0-0 by Millwall in a game of few chances at the Liberty Stadium.
Both sides failed to find a single shot on target in the first half.
The game improved after the interval and Swansea sub Michael Obafemi and Millwall's Tom Bradshaw both missed golden chances to score a winning goal.
The draw leaves Swansea 20th in the table, with Millwall in 15th position.
In truth, a draw was a fair reflection on a game that improved after the break, but never set pulses racing.
Neither side have exactly hit the ground running in the Championship this season, with just a win apiece from seven games, and the first half bore that out as both sides struggled to dominate or find any kind of rhythm.
Indeed, both Swansea goalkeeper Ben Hamer and Millwall's Bartosz Białkowski were essentially two additional spectators in the first half, with neither side mustering a single effort on goal.
Both sides had a decent effort blocked in the early exchanges - Joel Piroe's strike for the Swans and George Saville's shot for Millwall - but in truth it was a first half extremely short on quality and incident.
Ryan Manning's dipping volley just over the Millwall bar was the best opportunity fashioned by either side, but team-mate Jamie Paterson's shot - which just evaded the corner flag - rather summed up the lack of threat from either side.
Swansea's fans - who had seen their side score just four goals in their opening six games - did have a shot on target to cheer within three minutes of the restart, but Białkowski palmed away Matt Grimes' dipping free-kick, before Jed Wallace fired over for the Lions.
Wales striker Tom Bradshaw managed Millwall's first shot on target just before the hour mark, but Hamer made a comfortable save.
Piroe again tested Białkowski, who tipped away his effort from an acute angle, before Grimes' long-range effort was also held by the Polish goalkeeper.
Swansea boss Martin said last week that he "knew there would be pain" at the start of his tenure, with his side still chasing a first home victory this season.
They thought they had made the breakthrough with 20 minutes remaining in this one, but substitute Michael Obafemi fired just wide from seven yards out after Liam Walsh's pass split the Lions defence.
It might have been a costly miss as Hamer denied Bradshaw from close-range after Scott Malone's inviting cross as the visitors finished strongly, showing why six of their seven goals this term have come after the break.
Malone's half-volley forced Hamer into action with five minutes left, before Walsh's curling free-kick was brilliantly saved by Białkowski to ensure Millwall left with a deserved point.
Swansea City boss Russell Martin told BBC Sport Wales:
"I am disappointed we didn't win, I knew what to expect tonight and I was worried we would struggle with our intensity due to how much effort they put in on Saturday, we are still fighting to get them where we want, physically.
"A goal would have changed the context of the game, there was some really good stuff, but we didn't score.
"If we had scored it would have been different, but I feel like it is coming.
"The last two games have been so much closer to where we want to be and if Michael (Obafemi) scores that chance, people leave with a completely different feeling."
Millwall boss Gary Rowett told BBC Sport Wales:
"It was a tough game. Swansea move the ball really well but didn't necessarily hurt us.
"They made it difficult for us to get momentum, to get out and put pressure on the ball.
"First half I felt we were a little bit safe, the second half I felt we probably just edged it and were a little bit stronger as the game went on. I was pleased with a lot of it.
"It is a positive performance and a first clean sheet of the season. If you want to get an away win you have to take those moments in the game."