FOOTBALL: LIONS LOSE THEIR BITE; McGhee seeks new faces MILLWALL 0

MILLWALL boss Mark McGhee admitted he needs to sign at least three players to compete in the First Division after his side handed Burnley the points.

McGhee's newly promoted team were guilty of "diabolical" defending as Ian and Alan Moore grabbed the goals for Stan Ternent's side.

And McGhee is only too aware that his young Lions need some help if they are to compete with the division's big guns.

He said "We need two or three players to make an impact in this division.

"We have no fear anywhere we go, but we need to improve our squad to hold our own."

Ian Moore opened the scoring in the 63rd minute thanks to an embarrassing mix-up in the Millwall defence.

There seemed little danger when Sean Dyche went to clear a loose ball on the edge of his penalty area in the 63rd minute.

But keeper Tony Warner came rushing out and collided with his defender, allowing Moore to roll the ball into an empty net from 10 yards.

The home defence were caught napping again just four minutes later. Gareth Taylor was allowed to flick the ball towards Alan Moore, and the on-loan Middlesbrough winger took advantage of acres of space in the penalty area to fire home off the far post.

It was a harsh lesson for McGhee's side, who were unlucky not to have been in front early in the second half.

Matt Lawrence swung in a cross and Steve Claridge powered a header against the bar.

McGhee was adamant his side should have taken a point, and he said "The opener was a diabolical goal to lose and it cost us the game. We all know who was responsible and it has happened too much already this season."

Millwall's misery was complete near the end when Republic of Ireland winger Steve Reid was sent off for seemingly abusing a linesman after referee David Pugh appeared to change his mind about awarding the home side a penalty.

MAN OF THE MATCH

IAN COX

A rock in the centre of defence who gave Millwall's strikers nothing to work with.

MILLWALL: Warner 7, Lawrence 7, Ryan 6, Nethercott 7, Dyche 5, Ifill 5, Cahill 7, Livermore 6, Reid 7, Claridge 6, Sadlier 5.

BURNLEY: Michopoulos 7, West 6, Davis 7, COX 8, Armstrong 6 (A Moore 7), Little 7 (Gnohere 6), Cook 6, Ball 6, Briscoe 5, Taylor 5, I Moore 7.

MANAGER RATINGS: McGhee 6; Ternent 7.

REFEREE: D Pugh 6

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