Michael Frey of Queens Park Rangers, right, celebrates with teammate Lucas Andersen. Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Michael Frey, right, celebrates with team-mate Lucas Andersen after scoring an equaliser against Millwall

A first-half equaliser by QPR's Michael Frey earned the side a point in a 1-1 draw at home to London rivals Millwall at Loftus Road.

Frey's goal came after the visitors took the lead through Duncan Watmore's boot just after half an hour of action.

Neither side were able to find the net in the second period of the game despite coming close, George Honeyman failing to capitalise on a fantastic opportunity in front of goal.

This result keeps both sides in the bottom half of the Championship table. They have only picked up one victory each so far in their respective campaigns.

Both teams were welcomed to the pitch by a noisy Loftus Road crowd for a derby between the Championship’s only two London-based sides.

Millwall’s Watmore opened the scoring in the game just after the half-hour mark, finishing off a flowing team move by the Lions.

Macaulay Langstaff’s low cross came to Honeyman, who stepped over the ball and allowed it to roll to Watmore, who was waiting in space to take a touch and fire the ball home.

The home side hit back minutes later though, Karamoko Dembele threading a pass through to Frey, who poked the ball past Lions keeper Lukas Jensen to tie the score up.

In his celebration, the QPR forward sprinted all the way back to the dugout to stand in front of both managers before sharing a moment with his boss Marti Cifuentes.

The Hoops were denied the lead by the finest of margins just after 70 minutes. Jimmy Dunne rose well to head the ball towards goal, but Japhet Tanganga was standing by to clear the ball away off the line.

Less than 10 minutes later though, and Millwall players had their heads in their hands, in disbelief as to how they had not scored themselves.

Romain Esse did well to work the ball into a crossing position and seemingly put it on a plate for Honeyman to score, but he failed to make significant contact with his shot, the ball flying past Millwall’s number 39 and away to safety.

Substitute Femi Azeez was denied by QPR keeper Paul Nardi in injury time, the stopper throwing himself in the way of the new signing Azeez to keep the score level and the points shared.

'For long periods we were really good' - reaction

Millwall boss Neil Harris told BBC Radio London:

"I thought we were the better team, and for long periods we were really, really good, I think you’ll find that QPR’s possession was mainly in their own third.

"I thought we dominated the final thirds and created enough chances to win the game. The one place we let ourselves down was being too open down our end.

"I’d use the phrase glass half full today. We were creating chances, but I think we just need to be a bit more clinical."

QPR manager Marti Cifuentes told BBC Radio London:

"I’m not that satisfied with the way we played. We knew we were playing against a team with a very clear style.

"We tried to put the ball on the ground and play faster than what we do. We lacked some tempo, and we knew Millwall is good in the way they play, and we needed to make the tempo higher but unfortunately didn’t.

"In the second half we improved a bit more in regards to tempo but not good enough to create more chances."

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