adminGary Rowett assesses late Oxford United draw with Millwall
Gary Rowett has expressed his pleasure at Oxford United’s point against play-off chasing Millwall after Przemyslaw Placheta’s 96th minute equaliser clinched a draw at the Kassam.
Cameron Brannagan’s scored his second goal in a week to cancel out Theirno Ballo’s early opener with a lovely swept finish into the top corner from the edge of the Lions’ penalty area.
Alex Neil’s men retook the lead halfway through the second period when Jake Cooper tapped into an open net, before Poland international Placheta struck home late on to secure a valuable point against their visitors from London.
A ‘bitty’ game saw a dramatic ending as the U’s boss conveyed his thoughts.
“It’s quite exciting,” Rowett told the press after the final whistle.
“It’s quite a nice feeling to at least get something out of the game late on. I felt as though we probably just about deserved it.
“If you’re Millwall and you’re 2-1 up in the 96th minute of course you’re going to be disappointed if you don’t get all three points.
“I thought they started the game slightly better than us. It was tough conditions; both teams made it quite bitty.
“You can see from our reaction, it was just really pleasing at that point to get something out of the game when, like I said, I felt overall I don’t think there was a lot to separate the two teams.
“I think a draw would’ve been a fair overall result but of course they’ll feel a little bit aggrieved.”
After starting the game slowly, the Yellows started to apply pressure but the second period proved tough to get a hold of.
Perseverance proved the key though, with the late winner rewarding Rowett’s side’s efforts.
“What I would say about this group is they’ll keep going, they’ll keep pressuring, they’ll keep trying.
“Sometimes we lack a little bit of quality and composure but, you know, that is what we are and that is where we are in the sort of football world you know. But we kept fighting and it’s a great finish from Shemy in the end.
“I think moments earlier, Cam looked like he might’ve scored another one of his trademark free kicks and it’s a great save and then the ball just drops to Shemy (Placheta) moments later and you’re just hoping for a little bit of quality and he struck it really well, bottom corner. Nice to get a point out of it.”
Placheta’s strike was his second of the season after his stunner at Bristol City earlier in the campaign, the winger starting to add goals to his attacking involvement.
Rowett added: “I think the difference between being in the top half of the division and the bottom half of the division sometimes is just that extra little bit of quality in those moments. People like Shemy have shown that, Bristol City, he scored brilliant goals.
“He had a little moment just earlier than that and just lacked a little bit of composure so it was nice for him to find it late on.”
The U’s climb one place to 18th in the Championship on 13 points.
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