By Jr
January 8 2005

There will be not be a repeat of last year's FA Cup heroics, surprise, surprise! But then again, the cup proved to be a distraction that affected Millwall's play-off chances. At least that excuse can't be trundled out, this time around! Millwall won’t be FA Cup heroes this year, after falling 2-0 at the first hurdle against Wolves.

In fact, the new year has started dismally for the Lions - who have registered three straight defeats.

This string of results contrasts to the rich vein of form that preceded it, as all Millwall’s strikers began to find their goalscoring boots - which was just as well, given the departure of Neil Harris to Nottingham Forest.

Barry Hayles, Danny Dichio and Scott Dobie all scored on Boxing Day enabling Millwall to record a victory over high flying Ipswich Town on Boxing Day, and two days later Hayles’ one-man hat-trick show at Pride Park ensured all three points against play-off hopefuls Derby County.

On Sunday 19th December, a Jody Morris penalty had earned Millwall a 1-1 draw against Leeds United at Elland Road, so all looked rosy going into 2005.

However, Dichio’s red card on New Year’s Day resulted in Millwall’s 10-men going down to a single strike at Watford, and without their tall talismanic striker another defeat followed.

Kevin Braniff - returning from a loan spell at Canvey Island - made his first Lions appearance of the season in the opening home game of 2005, as Millwall crashed at home 2-1 to Rotherham United.

Despite the suspension and injury-hit line-up, Millwall got off to a promising start with Alan Dunne putting the hosts ahead.

Rotherham replied with a Martin Butler goal just before half time, before Robert Scott struck the winner in the 69th minute.

Millwall paid the price of fielding a half-fit Dobie at the Den, as the striker was then sidelined for the FA cup tie at Wolves.

At Molineux, goalkeeper Graham Stack was restored to the starting XI, as was Peter Sweeney and Jody Morris.

Anton Robinson made his first start for the club and though Hayles returned from injury, such a young side was unlikely to cause the more experienced Wolves too many problems.

So it proved.

Early goals from Ki-Hyeon Seol and Carl Cort were enough to fire the hosts into the fourth round.

It got worst for Millwall, as Sweeney was carried off with ligament damage which may keep him out for around six weeks

After the match Lions player boss Dennis Wise, one of the absentees from a 16 showing only three players on duty in last season's final, spelt out his problems: "Someone at the club spoke to the FA about the situation in getting the match off.

"But we were told there would be a £250,000 fine and a suspension from the competition if we didn't play the game.

"I've never known as many problems as this, but we had a good go in the second half after I said that we either did that or just died and lost by four or five.

"If we had got one back, I think Wolves might have been panicking a bit, but I'm sure it will be different in two weeks' time when I have my players back.

"It's a blow to us to go out, but good luck to Wolves. I hope they go all the way."

Next up for Millwall is a trip to Nottingham Forest in a match that could see Harris play against the Lions for the first time since his departure.