Millwall 0-1 Bristol City: Matty James snatches dramatic winner for Robins
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Bristol City left it until stoppage-time before snatching all three points through Matty James' goal
Bristol City snatched a last-gasp winner on an emotional day at The Den where the hosts paid tribute to their late chairman John Berylson.
Millwall's players warmed-up wearing t-shirts bearing a picture of Berylson, who in July, while both clubs laid commemorative wreaths and his family - including new chairman James - appeared on the pitch.
A sell-out crowd watched a video montage featuring clips of the 70-year-old, as well as tributes from Lions manager Gary Rowett and former boss Neil Harris before kick-off.
After a fairly quiet first hour the Robins - in their first outing since the departure of highly-rated teenager Alex Scott to Premier League Bournemouth for a reported £25m - had looked most likely to break the deadlock but it was not until four minutes into added time that Harry Cornick's long-throw broke to skipper Matty James to to lash home the only goal.
The Den paid tribute to late Millwall chairman John Berylson
Millwall were unchanged from their opening-day success at Middlesbrough, while Mark Sykes was the only new face in the Robins' side from their 1-1 draw at Preston on 5 August.
After an understandably low-key opening 20 minutes, Millwall's Duncan Watmore saw a low shot blocked on the edge of the box by Zak Vyner while Dan McNamara lashed a volley well over Max O'Leary's crossbar after a long throw from Zian Flemming on the half-hour.
At the other end, Joe Williams had an effort charged down and Nahki Wells' shot deflected wide after a corner from James, while Sam Bell then had appeals for a penalty for a challenge by McNamara waved away.
The visitors continued to press after the break and Cam Pring almost slid in a far-post cross from Jason Knight, before George Tanner nodded a corner back into the area only for Bell's header to slip past Matija Sarkic's post.
Bristol City sub Anis Mehmeti cut inside and curled inches past the upright soon after while fellow substitute Cornick had an effort blocked.
O'Leary kept out a free-kick from Millwall replacement George Saville as the Lions almost snatched the win in the 90th minute, with Cornick blocking McNamara's follow-up, and it was Cornick who set-up the winner four minutes later as his long throw eventually dropped for skipper James to lash home a flying volley.
Berylson tribute 'absolutely wonderful'
"The tribute to John Berylson was absolutely wonderful," said Millwall manager Gary Rowett.
"His family being here was all the more special. The minute's applause was immaculately done by both sets of fans. The atmosphere was brilliant.
"It's particularly disappointing because - I'm a manager, you feel responsible - John's family were here and you want them to have a positive experience at a game like this.
"We lacked energy, a little bit of spark. I thought it was a nothing game. It was a game that looked destined to fizzle out.
"We didn't play with enough zip, energy. We are at home and have to make the running, get on the front foot. At times it felt soft, we haven't really put our marker on the game physically.
"We'll have to lick our wounds."
Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson told BBC Radio Bristol: "I've been on the receiving end of those types of goals and I know how hard it is to take, but when i look at the overall performance we were by far the better side and also we were fitter than them today.
"I'm not going to get over excited it's just a really positive result. All the players had a positive impact. It's an all-round good result for us."